Call for Dorset children to get MMR jabs amid measles outbreak
115 cases have been confirmed across the South West in the last year
Dorset parents are being urged to make sure their children are fully vaccinated against measles.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released data that shows the South West is the region most affected by the illness, with 115 confirmed cases in the past year.
It's issued a call for parents to get their children both jabs to stop the spread.
In line with World Health Organisation recommendations, the UKHSA aims for 95% of an area's population to be fully vaccinated to prevent diseases spreading.
But for five year olds in Dorset this figure is only 92%.
However 96% of five year olds have had one dose, and over 95% of 2 year olds have had a single dose.
In the BCP area, nearly 89% of five year olds have had both doses.
UKHSA's Alasdair Wood told us: "When we have a very high level of vaccination in the population, it stops the virus in its tracks and it can't spread because if one person gets infected, it meets a wall of people who are vaccinated around them.
"The danger is, if we have vaccination rates that are lower than 95%, it can start to spread more easily in the population and it can then find those people who would be more vulnerable to the severe disease."
The illness is particularly dangerous to children, pregnant women and those with immune problems.
Alasdair said it's not too late for people to be vaccinated.
"There's also no harm in receiving the additional dose if there's any uncertainty," he said, adding: "It's never too late to come forward to come forward and it really helps, but it's the best absolutely the best way to protect yourself and your family and those around you."
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