Health experts across Greater Manchester urge parents to get children vaccinated against measles
It's as schools across the city-region go back next week
Parents across Greater Manchester are being urged to get their children's MMR jab ahead of schools returning next week.
New figures show there've been 124 cases of measles in the North West this year, with 39 of those being in Salford - the third highest figure in the UK.
Doctor Paula Cowan from NHS North West says making sure kids are vaccinated is essential: "Measles isn't just a rash, it's a condition that can cause some serious conditions like eye problems, sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and actually can be fatal in some cases.
"It's hugely important that children are vaccinated against this virus."
According to new figures, not a single childhood vaccine in England last year met the target needed to ensure diseases cannot spread among youngsters.
Doctor Paula said: "One is better than none but actually having the full course is really important.
"Lets encourage parents, lets support parents, lets educate them and advise them.
"Our children are so precious to us and it's so important that we keep them safe and well."
Health officials have warned almost one in five children will be starting primary school next month without full protection against a number of serious diseases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends at least 95% of children should receive vaccine doses for each illness to achieve herd immunity.
However, none of the main childhood vaccines in England reached this target in 2024/25, new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show.
Some 91.9% of five-year-olds had received one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine, unchanged from 2023/24 and the lowest level since 2010/11.
Just 83.7% of five-year-olds had received both MMR doses, down year on year from 83.9% and the lowest level since 2009/10.
Two doses of the vaccine give long-term protection against measles, mumps and rubella, which can cause serious illness and complications such as blindness and meningitis.
The NHS North West is encouraging parents and carers to check their children are protected against these illnesses and, if not, to contact their GP practice to book an appointment. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also warned there could be a ‘back to school surge’ of measles.