NHS bosses in Hampshire have issued a warning over a measles outbreak in London which is expected to spread to the county.

Parents and guardians are being urged to ensure their children are vaccinated as the number of cases creeps up.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there had been 128 cases of measles between January and June 2023, compared with 54 cases across 2022 – with 66 per cent of cases detected in London.

UKHSA modelling suggests that, unless vaccination rates improve, tens of thousands of cases could be seen in the capital.

Catch-up vaccinations are being offered this summer for school-aged children across the county.

Hampshire Chronicle: The UKHSA said there had been 128 cases of measles between January and June 2023, compared with 54 cases across 2022The UKHSA said there had been 128 cases of measles between January and June 2023, compared with 54 cases across 2022 (Image: PA)

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The UKHSA said that young people aged 19 to 25 are likely to be most susceptible to the outbreak as they may have been affected by unfounded stories in the early 2000s about the links between MMR jabs and autism.

The World Health Organisation estimates 95 per cent of the population need to be vaccinated to prevent an outbreak.

But in England, around 85 per cent of the population aged five and above is fully vaccinated.

Angela Anderson, Chief of Nursing & Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) at Solent NHS Trust, said: “School age immunisations importantly protect children in our families and communities from contagious viruses and diseases.

“We are encouraging all parents and families of eligible children to take up this quick and convenient catch-up vaccination offer so that their children are protected from viruses such as Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Meningitis and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), for example.

“We are particularly echoing the UKHSA’s advice to ensure all children’s vaccinations are up to date in light of the rise in number of cases of measles in the UK.”

The vaccinations will be offered by Solent NHS Trust’s School Aged Immunisation (SAI) Service.

The parents or guardians of any children in Year R through to 16 years (18 years for those in special schools) who have missed any of their immunisations in the school year, including those who are schooled at home, can contact Solent’s SAI Service to arrange a convenient time for their child to get vaccinated in an accessible setting.

Vaccinations can be booked by visiting auth.inhealthcare.co.uk/login online.