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Measles cases are continuing to rise across England, with a number of unvaccinated children and young adults requiring hospital as infections take hold.

This month, millions of parents, carers and young adults in England are being contacted by the NHS to book missed measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines as part of a major new campaign to protect those at risk from becoming seriously unwell.

NHS figures show millions of children under the age of 16 years are either unprotected or not fully protected and at risk of catching these serious and completely preventable diseases.

Measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. If caught during pregnancy it can be very serious causing stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight and NHS bosses are also urging young adults to catch up on any missed doses before thinking about starting a family.

Two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life-long protection, with the first dose given around the child’s first birthday, and the second dose given at around three years and four months old.

However, anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses and it’s never too late to protect yourself.

If you or your child have not had both dose of the MMR vaccine, contact your GP surgery to book an appointment as soon as possible and catch up.