WORRYING statistics have emerged which appear to show that the scare over the measles, mumps and rubella jab (MMR) is having an adverse effect on our children's health.

Levels of vaccination in the area are lower than recommended and doctors have warned that this leaves children more susceptible to outbreaks.

Health officials discovered the start of a mini-outbreak of measles last week in Accrington, where eight cases have been reported.

Four children under the age of five needed hospital treatment as a result. In May there was an outbreak in Burnley.

There is currently around 80 per cent vaccine coverage in East Lancashire, around four per cent below the national level. Doctors say the figure needs to rise to around 95 per cent to stop the risk of outbreaks.

But their advice comes after a MMR scare in Kendal, where the parents of a five-year-old boy are getting him tested for autism after he accidentally received a double dose of the vaccine.

That has done little to ease public concern about the reported link between the vaccine and forms of autism in children.

The year started with the jab at the centre of controversy when the Prime Minister refused to reveal whether his own baby, Leo, had received it.

That was a great chance for the government's publicity machine to ensure every parent had the facts about the jab. But the controversy has rumbled on.

If this jab is safe, it is vital to improve coverage. But if it is safe, why are scores of parents still not convinced?