Measles cases rise to 886

Health officials are stockpiling hundreds of thousands of doses of the MMR vaccine across the UK in case the outbreak of measles in South Wales spreads, the Times (£) reports.

The report comes just before the government is due to outline a nationwide strategy to combat a potential measles epidemic.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that the "myth" surround the MMR jab must be "slayed", after health officials reported that the number of measles cases had risen to 886.

Shamed doctor Andrew Wakefield was struck off the medical register for his discredited research which claimed to find a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.

Speaking to the Health Select Committee, Mr Hunt said: "We certainly must not think of this as something that is just happening in Wales.

"[There] is still that critical 11 to 15-year-old age group that may not have been vaccinated because they were toddlers at precisely the time when the MMR scare was so appallingly whipped up.

"I want to reassure you, we are taking this extremely seriously inside the Department of Health."

Drop-in vaccination sessions for the MMR jabs will again be held across Wales this weekend, as cases of measles has risen by more than 78 in just five days, health officials have confirmed.

ITV News understands a new catch-up campaign will be announced on Thursday.

ITV News' Medical Editor Lawrence McGinty reports:

Public Health Wales has warned that an outbreak of measles is showing "no signs of ending" and that more vaccines will need to be given, as latest figures reveal there are 78 new cases since Thursday.

Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said

Public Health Wales has reported that the number of measles cases has risen to 886, as children have gone back to school after Easter.

There have been 78 new cases since last Thursday with 80 people admitted to hospital since the start of the outbreak.

Doctors are urging people to get their kids vaccinated, as a second outbreak has emerged in the North East of England where there are already more than 200 cases.

• Watch: Fears that measles outbreak could spread

Daybreak's Health Editor Dr Hilary Jones said that we do need to be concerned by the measles outbreaks.

He said, "it hasn't reached a peak yet", with more cases to come as the children return back to school following the Easter break.

He added: "You only have to be in the same room with someone as measles and if you are not immune you will pick it up."

A father has urged parents to ensure their children have the MMR vaccine after all three of his children were hit by the Swansea measles epidemic.

Speaking to Daybreak, Craig Thomas, 36, from Morriston, said he felt "terrible" that he did not get his children vaccinated sooner.

His 15-year-old daughter Chloe was forced to miss part of a GCSE exam because she was so ill, and his sons Jordan and Keiron now also have the disease.

Watch: A measles epidemic death is 'inevitable' says doctor

Figures published later today are expected to show a further increase in measles cases as children have gone back to school after Easter.

Doctors are urging people to get their kids vaccinated, as a second outbreak has emerged in the North East of England where there are already more than 200 cases.

Watch: Fears that measles outbreak could spread

There are fears the disease could spread across the country.

Last week 25-year-old Gareth Williams died, although he had measles, it has not been confirmed whether the disease was the cause.

Watch: Mother urges others to get measles vaccination

Secondary schools in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot will be targeted in another round of school MMR vaccinations this week.

Over 1,700 pupils will be offered the jab in 10 schools across the areas.

Health experts have urged parents of pupils who have had no MMR or who need a second jab to take advantage of the school clinics.

Around 3,400 people turned out to receive the MMR vaccination in the latest round of clinics in South Wales over the weekend.

The mother of a young man who died during the south Wales measles epidemic has urged others to get vaccinated urgently.

It has not been confirmed whether measles contributed to the 25-year-old Gareth Williams' death, but it has been confirmed that he had the disease, and his family are convinced it killed him.