Health leaders in Bradford urging parents to check their children's vaccinations
Parents in Bradford are being urged to make sure their children are protected against measles, after health officials warned vaccination rates are below the level needed to prevent outbreaks in the city.
The MMRV jab protects against mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Craig Blundred, Bradford Council’s Director of Public Health, said:
“Measles is a highly infectious disease and the health consequences from contracting it can be severe. Nearly everyone who catches it develops a high fever and rash, but the evidence shows that one in every 15 people develops severe complications that can include pneumonia and even death.
“We know the number of children receiving the MMRV immunisation has fallen in recent years leaving children, families and communities vulnerable to infection. This is even more important for those who travel to countries that have higher rates of measles where children are even more at risk.
“Last year, our district had the lowest uptake for 5-year-olds across the Yorkshire and Humber region. We need to ensure that these statistics are not a growing trend in 2026 and future years. We’re asking everyone who has young children to make sure that their measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox immunisations are up to date so they can protect themselves and their communities.”