HEALTH officials are warning that there could be an outbreak of measles this year due to a drop in the number of families immunising their children with the MMR vaccine.

Parents fears about a link between the measles, mumps, rubella jab and autism have led to an almost 25 per cent drop in the number of five year olds taking up the booster vaccine.

In September 2000 73.2 per cent of five year olds had the second dose vaccine around 25 per cent lower than the figure three years ago. Health officials in Buckinghamshire would like to see 90 per cent of five year olds having the booster.

The number of children under 24 months who had the vaccine in September was 91.5 per cent, a drop of 2.1 per cent on December 1997.

Officials at Buckinghamshire Health Authority put the drop down to concerns over links with diseases of the bowel like Crohn's disease and asthma as well as autism.

Dr Elizabeth Howarth, consultant in communicable disease control at Buckinghamshire Health Authority, said: "It is important for children to be immunised against these diseases to prevent infection in childhood and as adults when infection can be serious.

"Lower MMR immunisation rates in England mean there is a risk of a measles outbreak this year. A measles epidemic could result in unnecessary long-term health problems in both children and adults and some cases could be fatal."

If you are a parent who feels very strongly about this issue; if you are refusing to put your child at risk by having the jab or if you feel it would be irresponsible not to let your child have the vaccination call Caroline Oldfield on (01494) 755093