NEARLY 7,000 children in north Kirklees are at risk of catching measles, health bosses fear.

Many young children are not protected against the potentially fatal disease because they have not had the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Some parts of north Kirklees fall below the national average (85%) for uptake of the MMR jab.

It is thought many parents still fear a link between the vaccine and autism.

Dewsbury, Batley and Spen are the areas where fewer children have been vaccinated against the deadly disease.

Experts say there is a risk of a measles epidemic, saying between 30,000 and 100,000 children could suffer from the disease.

The Health Protection Agency says there were 1,217 cases from January to November last year in England and Wales.

In November alone there were 115 reported cases, 72 in October and 83 in September.

Ann Brady, children’s community matron for NHS Kirklees, said: “We really want to get through to people how important it is for children to be protected.

“There have been outbreaks of measles in Dewsbury and other local areas recently. Cases of mumps are also on the increase again.”

Community health teams believe that time and convenience are often reasons why children are not given the vaccine. So they are looking at new venues, such as nurseries or children’s centres.

While some parents believe that since the childhood illnesses are not as common as they once were many feel there is no need to have their children immunised.

Autism still remains a big concern for parents, despite health professionals saying there is no link between it and the MMR vaccine.

Ms Brady added: “In exceptional cases, where, for medical reasons, the MMR is not suitable for a child, this would be explained by the family GPs.

“Otherwise we urge all families to protect their children and take up the vaccine. There is no upper age limit.

“For those who are still concerned it is absolutely clear there is no link between the vaccine and autism.”

The MMR vaccine is given in two doses, the first at 13 months and the second when the child is aged between three-and-a-half and five.