Bradford’s director of public health has urged parents of children not vaccinated against measles to take “urgent” action following a national rise in the number of cases.

The Bradford district’s youngsters will be part of a national catch-up programme to increase MMR vaccination uptake in children and teenagers.

Nine cases have been confirmed in Bradford since January 2012 – three in the first three months of this year compared to six in the whole of last year.

Public Health England, NHS England and the Department of Health made the announcement to prevent measles outbreaks by vaccinating as many unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 10 to 16 year olds as possible in time for the next school year.

Local teams in Yorkshire and the Humber will produce local plans to identify and give MMR to unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 10-16 year olds through GPs and/or school programmes. Bradford Director of Public Health, Anita Parkin, said: “Measles is a potentially fatal but entirely preventable disease and it is very disappointing to see a national increase in cases.

“Although the number of confirmed cases in our area remains low, it is important that we do our utmost to prevent further cases. The catch-up programme recommends an approach to specifically target those young people most at risk.

“Those who have not been vaccinated should urgently seek at least one dose of MMR vaccination which will give them 95 per cent protection against measles. A second dose is then needed to provide almost complete protection.

“The only way to prevent measles outbreaks is to ensure good uptake of the MMR across all age groups, and that when cases are reported, immediate public health action is taken to protect vulnerable individuals as soon as possible. Measles is not a mild illness – it is very unpleasant and can lead to serious complications. More than 100 children in England have been hospitalised so far this year.

“It is never too late to get vaccinated against measles. Parents of unvaccinated children, teenagers and young adults who have missed out on MMR should urgently arrange to be vaccinated by their GP. If you are unsure whether you or your child has had two doses of the vaccine, speak to your GP, who will have a record.”

New figures published by Public Health England (PHE) show high numbers of confirmed measles cases in England in the first three months of 2013, reaching 587 by end of March, following a record annual high of almost 2,000 cases in 2012. Experts believe the rise can be mostly attributed to unprotected 10-16 year olds, who missed out on vaccination when concern around the discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread. Measles became re-established in 2007.