PUBLIC health officials in Wirral are urging parents to get their children vaccinated with two doses of MMR without delay as the UK hovers on the brink of a measles epidemic.

Wirral Primary Care Trust says 500 two-year-olds have no protection from the virus, about 600 children aged five, and about 7,000 children up to the age of 16 are not fully protected.

The national measles figures for 2008 to date - published this week - are at their highest level for 13 years.

The North West had 107 confirmed cases this year to date, not including the latest confirmed cases in Cheshire, which is the highest figure outside London.

In central and eastern Cheshire, 10,500 children and teenagers are being immunised in a bid to halt a measles epidemic there.

There are currently 68 suspected cases of which 19 have been confirmed by laboratory testing.

Only 85% of Wirral two-year-olds have been vaccinated with MMR, which protects against measles. Children should receive their first vaccination at around 13 months, followed by a second dose at around three-and-a-half years of age.

Marie Armitage, Joint Director of Public Health, said parents should not underestimate the risks associated with measles.

She said: “It can cause complications such as convulsions and meningitis and on rare occasions, can kill. If your child has had no or only one MMR vaccination then they should speak to their GP practice. It is not too late to take your child to be vaccinated so that they are fully protected against measles and we would encourage your child to have the MMR.”

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, the Health Protection Agency’s immunisation lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Anyone who is currently unprotected should take this chance to be vaccinated now. Anyone wanting more information about the MMR campaign should consult their family doctor.”