PARENTS in Bradford and surrounding areas are being urged to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) after a "worrying" drop in the uptake of key vaccines nationally.

Figures from NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show 92.5 per cent of children had had the first dose of the MMR jab at five-years-old by 2022-23, the lowest since 2010-11.

Five-year-olds who had had the second jab by 2022-23 was at 84.5 per cent, also the lowest level since 2010-11.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant medical epidemiologist at UKHSA, described the downward trend as a "serious concern" and added: "The diseases that these vaccines protect against, such as measles, polio and meningitis, can be life-changing and even deadly.

"No parent wants this for their child especially when these diseases are easily preventable.

"Please don't put this off - check now that your children are fully up-to-date with all their vaccines due.

"Check your child's red book and get in touch with your GP surgery if you are not sure."

Dr Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology, added: "Measles is one of the world's most contagious diseases and cases are currently on the rise in England."