As the number of unvaccinated children rose so did the number of measles cases in England and Wales during 2008, a 70% increase on the previous year, says the Health Protection Agency. In 2008 1,348 children got measles - in 2007 the figure was 990.

A population requires that 95% of children be vaccinated in order to confer 'herd immunity' to people in the general population who have not been vaccinated, say authorities. At the moment only 80% of children in England and Wales have been vaccinated.

A discredited 1998 study which linked the combined MMR vaccine to autism made many parents not want to vaccinate their children.

Dr Mary Ramsay, an immunisation expert at the Health Protection Agency, said "The year on year increase of measles across England and Wales is very worrying. Last year saw the highest number of cases since the current method of monitoring the disease was introduced in 1995. What is so alarming is that the majority of these cases could have been prevented as most were in children who were not fully protected with MMR. There are still many children out there who were not vaccinated as toddlers over the past decade and remain unprotected. Unfortunately this means that measles, which is highly infectious, is spreading easily among these unvaccinated children. We are glad to see that public confidence in the MMR vaccine is now high with more than 8 out of 10 children receiving one dose of MMR by their second birthday. However, children who weren't vaccinated many years ago are still at real risk. Measles should not be taken lightly as you can never tell who will go on to develop the more serious complications of pneumonia and encephalitis. This is why it's incredibly important to remember that measles isn't a 'harmless' childhood disease and that it is never too late to get your child immunised with the MMR vaccine. It is the most effective way to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella."

Figures for confirmed measles up to end of December 2008 in England and Wales are as follows:

North West - 180
North East - 15
South East - 127
South West - 38
East of England - 84
East Midlands - 45
West Midlands - 109
Yorkshire and Humberside - 47
London - 662
Wales - 39
Unknown region - 2

Measles cases in England and Wales by age breakdown are as follows:

- Under 1 - 112
- 1 to 3 years, 6 months - 265
- 3 years, 7 months to 11 years - 432
- 12 - 18 years - 286
- 18 years and over - 252
- Age unknown - 1

Complications with measles

Measles complications can range from diarrhea, to pneumonia and encephalitis, and corneal ulceration which leads to corneal scarring. Complications are more common among adults who catch measles. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3 people die per 1,000 people who become infected in highly developed nations - in countries with poor healthcare facilities the figure can be considerably higher.

Source - National Health Service, Health Protection Agency