'Record' MMR jabs for 2-year-olds

The number of two-year-olds being given the MMR vaccine in South Wales is "at record levels", Public Health Wales says.

National uptake of the first dose of the vaccine has now reached the 95% target.

The average uptake of the second dose of MMR falls short of the target at 90%, although is considered 'stable'.

The number of reported cases in the measles outbreak centred around Swansea now stands at 1,171.

Public Health Wales will publish the latest measles outbreak figures later. On Friday, there were 1,158 confirmed cases in the Swansea area.

Health chiefs are warning that although the outbreak appears to be slowing, parents should still get their children vaccinated to prevent further outbreaks.

Clearly the number of new measles cases in the affected area has dramatically slowed down in the last couple of weeks.

Today's figures show the outbreak is not over yet.

Public Health Wales say we should not believe this is the last we will see of measles, and warn we will see large numbers of cases in the future if children remain unvaccinated.

Almost 2,500 doses of MMR have been given in GP surgeries in Wales in the last week, according to Public Health Wales (PHW).

Cases in the outbreak centred on the Swansea area have now reached 1,158.

PHW officials said almost 2,500 non-routine MMR jabs have been given out within the past week.

Read: Public Health Wales says 'get MMR jab over half term'

The measles outbreak in Wales remains a concern says Public Health Wales with 1,356 cases of measles reported in Wales since last November.

The number of cases associated with the outbreak centred in the Swansea area have risen by 14 since Friday 24 May.

Young people aged 10 to 18 are being encouraged to use the half term break to catch up on any missed doses of MMR vaccine.

PHW says around 33,000 young people in this age group are still not fully vaccinated.

Dr Brendan Mason, Regional Epidemiologist said, “If children and young people are to enjoy visiting friends, family, events and attractions where they will meet large numbers of other young people, they should go to their GP to get vaccinated first."

He added, "Measles came to Wales from young people visiting such attractions and has spread wherever there have been large gatherings of children."

Unvaccinated children aged between six and 12 months living in or travelling to the outbreak areas of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot or North Powys can have a vaccination at their GP surgery.

The latest measles figures are due out this afternoon following the cessation of MMR clinics and school vaccination sessions.

Figures released by Public Health Wales on Thursday revealed there have been 1,336 confirmed cases of the virus across Wales since November.

The last of the drop-in clinics were held over the weekend and school vaccination sessions ended on Friday, but the MMR vaccine remains available through GP surgeries. Over 60,000 people in Wales have now received the jab.

The last drop in clinics for people to get the MMR vaccine have been held in Powys today. They were set up to try and prevent further cases of measles during the recent epidemic.

Health officials say the jabs will still be available from your GP.

Nicola Hendy reports.

Drop-in sessions for measles vaccinations are being held in Powys this weekend. The focus will be on getting children and young people, who may not have receieved two doses of MMR, vaccinated.

Parents are being encouraged to get their children vaccinated amid the continuing measles outbreak across Wales. Anyone born before 1970 is thought likely to already be immune to measles.