BARNSLEY missed the target for children’s vaccination levels against measles, mumps and rubella last year - but the rates are better than the national average.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged parents to check their children’s vaccinations are up to date amid fears of a back-to-school surge of diseases like measles and whooping cough due to falling vaccine rates across England.

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses that can easily spread between unvaccinated people.

Complications from measles, mumps and rubella can be potentially life changing including blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain.

NHS figures show 91.7 per cent of youngsters in Barnsley had both doses of the MMR vaccine by their fifth birthday in 2023/24.

This was below the 95 per cent target set by the World Health Organisation, and about the same level as the previous year.

It meant Barnsley had one of the highest uptake rates across Yorkshire and the Humber.

David Crichton, chief medical officer at South Yorkshire ICB, said: “With measles cases on the rise across the country it is vital that parents and guardians come forward if their child has not had their MMR jab vaccination to protect our children and vulnerable people.

“As measles is a serious illness and highly contagious, even a small decline in MMR vaccine levels can lead to a rise in cases which can lead to complications.

“This may make you feel unwell, require a stay in hospital and on rare occasions can cause lifelong disability or death.

“I would encourage parents and guardians to check their child’s red book/vaccination record to see if they are up to date with their MMR vaccinations and to book an appointment as soon as possible if they are invited, to ensure their child is protected.”

Nationally, 83.9 per cent of five year olds were fully vaccinated against MMR last year - down from 84.5 per cent the year before, and the lowest level since 2010/11.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “I encourage all parents to take up the offer of vaccinations for their children at the right time, to give them the best protection from preventable diseases.

“Childhood vaccines prevent babies and children from suffering needlessly and can even be life-saving.

“It only takes one case of measles to get into a school or nursery where many children are unprotected for numbers to suddenly surge.”

London had the lowest uptake levels of all regions in England of MMR, with 73.3 per cent of children having received both doses by the age of five.

By contrast, 89.7 per cent were fully vaccinated in the north-east.

In Yorkshire and The Humber, 85.8 per cent had both two doses last year.

That meant Barnsley’s levels were well above those of near neighbours and the national average.

Separate figures from the UKHSA show there were 2,465 confirmed cases of measles across the country from January to September this year.

More than half of these were recorded among children under 11.

London had the most confirmed measles cases, with 1,177.

There were 83 recorded in Yorkshire and The Humber, although none of them were in Barnsley.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “Vaccinations have been protecting children for decades and are offered free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme, saving thousands of lives and preventing tens of thousands of hospital admissions every year.”