A LEADING doctor warned today that he expected to see measles cases arising in North Yorkshire.
Dr Phil Kirby urged parents who have so far refused to let their children have the MMR jab to reconsider their decision.
Outbreaks of measles have hit children in South London and Gateshead.
Dr Kirby, consultant in public health medicine at North Yorkshire Health Authority, said there had not yet been any confirmed cases of the illness in the county, but added: "I would expect to see cases in North Yorkshire."
He said the take-up of the combined vaccine to combat measles, mumps and rubella was running at 85.1 per cent for two-year- olds.
Only 71.9 per cent of five-year- olds had had both the original jab as a baby and the booster jab at the pre-school age.
This meant there was not sufficient herd immunity to prevent isolated outbreaks among unprotected children. He repeated Government assurances that the MMR vaccination was safe.
Updated: 11:00 Tuesday, February 05, 2002
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