PARENTS in Poole are being urged to ensure their children have had two MMR jabs after measles outbreaks across the country.

Health chiefs are especially concerned the disease could spread in secondary schools.

Discredited research suggesting a link between the vaccine and autism put many parents off having their children vaccinated in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

A letter sent via the borough schools says up to a million children and teenagers nationwide could be vulnerable to infection.

“Outbreaks are now occurring widely in England, with teenagers being those most affected,” says the letter, signed by David Phillips, director of public health for Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust, and Jan Thurgood, director of children's services at Poole council.

“This is because many of them missed out on their MMR vaccinations in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the vaccine was mistakenly linked to cases of autism.

“These outbreaks are a serious concern with up to a million children and young teenagers potentially vulnerable to infection, especially as children of this age are going into secondary school where the spread of infection is much more likely to happen.”

A flyer issued with the letter describes measles and the benefits of the MMR vaccination.

The letter urges people to make sure their children have been vaccinated.

It adds: “If you are unsure or think that your child may not have received the two doses of MMR, please check with your GP practice who will be able to provide you with this information and make an appointment to give any necessary doses to your child free of charge.”