A CASE of measles has been confirmed in Cumbria amid a national drop in the number of children receiving the potentially life-saving MMR vaccination.

One county GP has warned parents that there is "deliberately misleading" information about vaccinations circulating across social media, which may have caused unnecessary concerns.

But with a case now confirmed in Allerdale, the importance of ensuring you and your family are protected has been reiterated.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday pledged to take urgent action to boost the number of children and young people getting the MMR jab.

It comes after it emerged that the UK had lost its measles-free status, three years after the virus was eliminated here.

In the first quarter of 2019, there were 231 confirmed cases.

There have been no recent cases in Cumbria until last week, when one was confirmed in Allerdale.

Prior to that there was another in Allerdale in May, one in Copeland in January and another in Barrow, also in January.

But latest figures show that as many as 9,000 five-year-olds in the north west region, including Cumbria, may not be fully up-to-date with some routine immunisations such as the MMR.

Dr Amanda Boardman, from NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Measles and mumps can be very dangerous illnesses and the best way of protecting yourself or your children is through the MMR vaccine.

“I would urge anyone to look at trusted websites like www.nhs.uk when making decisions rather than accepting the deliberately misleading information circulating on some social media. If you or your children haven’t had the vaccination it isn’t too late.”

Colin Cox, Cumbria's director of public health, added: “Outbreaks of disease, especially measles, have occurred when the number of people having the vaccine has dropped.

“Measles, mumps and rubella can quickly spread to unprotected children and adults and anyone who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is always at risk. It’s very important that children receive the full course of two vaccinations of MMR before starting school and for parents or carers to contact their GP Practice and take it up now if they didn’t have it at the scheduled time.”

Anyone who is unsure whether they or their children have had two doses of the vaccine is urged to contact their GP surgery. They can also talk through any concerns with practice staff.