Immunisation against measles is essential for those travelling abroad this summer.

Health experts believe the recent increase in cases in the UK could be linked to travel; outbreaks have already been reported from at least 18 countries throughout Europe, prompting medics to warn families to protect themselves against what can be a potentially fatal disease.

Measles is highly-infectious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a serious illness and can lead to complications such as pneumonia. In a small number of cases it can be fatal.

When an outbreak of measles or, as in previous years, mumps occurs, it is often thought to have arisen from a breakdown in collective immunity. In the 1990s, controversial research led to fears that the MMR vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella could be linked to autism and bowel problems in children, prompting some parents to boycott the jab.

According to Linda Scott, vaccination lead for NHS Bradford and Airedale, those children who missed out on having an MMR injection around that time would now be in their teens.

Mixing with other youngsters at school and university can lead to diseases spreading. From January to April this year, 334 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles were reported to the Health Protection Agency compared to 33 cases for the same period the previous year.

Of the 334 cases, 46 have been reported in the Yorkshire and Humber region, with many of them linked to a recent outbreak in the Leeds student population.

Nationally, cases are associated with either recent travel abroad or small clusters in mainly unvaccinated children and young adults between the ages of ten and 24.

But Linda says there are a multitude of reasons why children aren’t vaccinated. She says some parents are busy and may forget to make the arrangements, or they may think one dose is sufficient when two doses are required to protect the child from the diseases into adulthood.

“Naturally, along with the Health Protection Agency, we are very concerned about how infectious measles is and how easily it spreads. The consequences can be quite severe,” says Linda.

Measles can cause swelling on the brain, fits, fever and a severe rash and, depending on the severity, could be fatal.

Linda says the MMR is a “very safe vaccine”.

“It is used extensively globally and not just in Europe,” she says. “There are millions of MMR vaccinations given and with limited side-effects you can expect from any drug or medication. There is no drug or medication that is perfect for everybody, but the side-effects are only small side-effects.”

Jess Robinson, who runs MoorMums.co.uk, Ilkley’s baby and toddler website, had no hesitation in immunising her son Frank at 13 months, and says she intends to have younger son George Stanley immunised too.

“There is very little evidence that the MMR triple jab has got side-effects. However, there is very clear evidence of the risks if they were to catch measles, mumps or rubella,” she says.

“For me, it is about weighing up the risks. I decided that I wanted to keep them safe against these life-threatening diseases and take the risk that they might have side-effects from the jabs.

“It is up to each parent to weigh up the risks for their own child and MoorMums.co.uk is all about providing parents with the information to be able to make the right decision for their own children,” adds Jess.

Linda says parents planning to travel this summer can have their youngsters vaccinated sooner to gain the necessary protection. They are advised to speak to their practice nurse or health visitor.

Dr Martin Schweiger, consultant in communicable disease control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, says that with the summer holidays approaching and social events planned, families are being reminded to check that their children and young adults are fully up-to-date with MMR immunisation.

“It is never too late to get immunised with this safe and effective vaccine and we must not forget that the vaccine also protects against mumps and rubella, which have the potential to be very serious illnesses,” he says.

“Two doses of MMR are needed for optimum protection. If you or your child has not been vaccinated, or you are unsure, contact your GP or health visitor to arrange this.

“We cannot stress enough that measles is serious and in some cases it can be fatal. Delaying immunisation could put children at risk.”