COUNCIL bosses have launched another drive to get more children vaccinated against measles during the school holidays.

Figures released by Public Health England showed there were three new cases during May, bringing the total number of confirmed cases across Cumbria and Lancashire to 73. So far this year, there have been three confirmed cases in Blackburn with Darwen.

Dr Gifford Kerr, the council’s public health consultant, said: "So far, we have managed to contain the confirmed cases and prevent a local measles by tracing family and contacts of those infected and making sure they are immunised, but it is better to prevent people from catching measles in the first place.

“All GPs in Blackburn with Darwen are continuing to offer the MMR vaccine to unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and young adults and we hope people who haven’t come forward yet will take the opportunity to do so during the summer holidays.”