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PARENTS in Blackpool are being warned to ensure their children receive the measles jab after an outbreak of the disease left two children in hospital.

GPs in the resort have recorded 22 cases in the last three weeks alone.

Almost a quarter of Blackpool children are vulnerable to the disease having not received the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

"We rarely see so many cases in a sho
rt time span," said Dr Steven Gee, expert in communicable diseases at the Health Protection Agency in Lancashire.

"It appears that most of the children affected had received no doses of MMR.

"Measles is a potentially serious viral infection."

Just 78.5 per cent of schoolchildren in the resort have had the MMR jab by the age of five against a target of 95 per cent.

Dr Gee added: "Ideally we need 95 per cent of the children in the community to have had their MMR vaccinations. This helps to prevent the spread of the virus ."

The youngest child affected is just 13 months old although the majority are of primary school age, aged four to 10.

All the children affected in the recent outbreak are now recovering well at home.

Anyone who is concerned their child has not had the MMR jab is advised to contact their local GP urgently.

Anyone who believes their child may have measles is urged to contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0800 4647.