UPTAKE of the MMR vaccine for five-year-olds and under has fallen in the past year, new figures show.

NHS data for 2018-19 showed the percentage of children having their first dose of the jab by their second birthday fell from 93.6 per cent to 91.4 per cent in Blackburn with Darwen.

Uptake of children having their first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine by their fifth birthday in the borough also dropped from 93.6 per cent to 93.2 per cent.

The MMR vaccine comes in two stages: one dose given to infants at around one-year-old and a second when the child is around three years and four months old.

In the first quarter of 2019, there were 231 confirmed cases of the potentially life-threatening measles across the country.

The NHS have released the figures during the first month of the new school year and parents have been urged to check whether their child or children are fully protected.

Gill Marsh, screening and immunisation nurse consultant at Public Health England North West, said that inaccurate claims about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has contributed to the decline in uptake.

She said: “We know that there are factors which affect vaccine uptake, such as sending out reminders and making GP appointments as convenient as possible – these things will make the biggest difference in reducing numbers of children not getting vaccinated.

“We also know from our history that inaccurate claims about the safety and effectiveness can lead to doubts about vaccines - putting people at risk of serious illness. This is why PHE is working closely with partners and social media platforms to ensure accurate coverage of public health issues like vaccination.

“We cannot be complacent, as even small groups of children missing out on or delaying their vaccines leaves them and others vulnerable to serious or even fatal infections.”

Dr Peter English, public health medicine committee chairman on the trade union British Medical Association (BMA), added: “There is a clear need to curb the damaging spread of false and misleading information on vaccinations by enforcing standards and placing legal obligations on social media corporations.”