Parents are being warned to immunise their children against measles after an increase in the number of reported cases in Kent.

Between January and September 2008 the county has seen a total of 23 cases, nearly a 230 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, which saw seven.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, director of the Kent health protection unit, which is part of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), has written to all GP practices in Kent advising parents to get their children vaccinated against the infectious disease.

Gary Culver, medical secretary from the Kent Local Medical Committee, which speaks on behalf of all 1,200 GPs in Kent, said the increase in the number of cases in the county is due to the reduced uptake of the MMR vaccination that fights against measles, mumps and rubella.

"There have been a number of scares in the last few years over the MMR jab but it’s a safe immunisation that will prevent measles, which in a small percentage of children can be life-threatening," said Mr Culver.

A HPA recent study showed nationally there were 1,794 confirmed cases of measles reported between 2002 and 2007 in children who were eligible for the MMR vaccine.

Of the remaining 786 reported cases of measles, 730 had not received the MMR vaccine, 50 had received one dose of the vaccine and only six cases had received two doses of the vaccine.

Dr Mary Ramsay, consultant in immunisation at the HPA, said: "These results confirm that the current problems with measles cases are mainly due to children not receiving MMR vaccine."

The agency’s research showed that one dose of MMR vaccine provides over 95 per cent protection against measles - where as two doses provide almost 100 per cent protection.

Dr Ramsay added: "It reinforces the need for children and young adults to complete the recommended vaccine schedule to be fully protected.

"At the start of the school and college term it is important to make sure your child has received two doses of MMR to prevent them suffering from measles, mumps and rubella."

So far this year there have been 15 cases in Sevenoaks, two in Thanet, two in Dartford, two in Maidstone, one in Sheerness and one in Tunbridge Wells.

Between January 2007 and September 2007 there were seven confirmed cases, three in Swale, three in Dartford and one in Dover.

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