DOZENS of children in East Lancashire have contracted measles in recent years, but there have been no confirmed cases since January following a successful vaccination programme.

Last year’s national ‘catch-up’ scheme aimed to prevent measles outbreaks by giving MMR jabs — combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella — to as many unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 10 to 16-year-olds as possible.

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This age group was most at risk of measles due to the fall in coverage of MMR in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when concern around the discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread.

A report to health and social care bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “As a result of the successful MMR catch-up programme, there have been no confirmed cases of measles infection in Blackburn with Darwen since June 2013, compared with 11 in the preceding 15 months.

“Immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions.”

Meanwhile, there have been no cases in the Lancashire County Council area in 2014, compared to 100 in 2013.

The local success mirrors the national picture and Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, said: “Measles is a potentially fatal, but entirely preventable, disease so we are delighted that measles cases have recently decreased.

“The best way to prevent measles outbreaks is to ensure good uptake of the vaccine, so it’s heartening to see the success the programme had in ensuring 95 per cent of 10 to 16-year-olds received at least one dose of the vaccine.”