PARENTS of Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley children who missed out on measles jabs are being urged to get their youngsters vaccinated.
Local GP practices are contacting the families of patients aged 10 to 16 who records show have missed out on vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella.
This follows the launch of a campaign to immunise 1m children and teenagers across the country after a national increase in measles cases.
The vast majority of children and teenagers in Kent are up-to-date with their immunisations but several thousand of the 110,000 10 to 16 year olds have not been immunised against MMR or have had only one of the two jabs needed for maximum immunity.
Dr John Rodriguez, Kent and Medway screening and immunisation lead, said: "Take-up rates for MMR immunisation in Kent are higher than the national average but we would like even more children to be protected."
Dr Bhaskar Bora, chair of NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group, added: "Measles is not a mild illness and is extremely infectious.
"It is very unpleasant and can lead to children becoming very seriously ill, and in very rare cases, to their death.
"Now is the time to catch up on missed vaccinations and ensure children are protected now and into the future."
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