New data shows that more than 200 five-year-olds in Dorset have yet to be fully immunised against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

As parents prepare their children to start primary school in a few weeks, Public Health England (PHE) South West is warning that around 250 children across the county may not be fully up-to-date with some routine immunisations.

The worrying estimates, released as part of PHE’s Value of Vaccines campaign, show that some four and five-year olds are starting school at unnecessary risk of serious diseases compared to the majority of their classmates.

It comes after the UK lost its WHO measles free status.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be extremely unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious complications.

Parents are now being urged to check their child’s Red Book to ensure their children are up-to-date with scheduled immunisations.

Nationally, more than 30,000 five-year-olds may still need to receive their first dose of MMR, leaving them significantly more at risk compared to pupils who are fully vaccinated. The first dose is usually given to infants who are around one year old.

Approximately 2,000 of these children are in the south west, with 107 estimated to be in Dorset (not including the conurbation of Bournemouth and Poole).

Some 90,000 five-year olds in England may still need to receive their second dose of MMR. PHE says around 5,000 of these children are in the south west, with an estimated 250 in Dorset.

The second dose is usually given before school, usually at three years and four months of age, to ensure best protection.

In addition to MMR jabs, around 100,000 five-year-olds nationally may still need their 4-in-1 pre-school booster that protects against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio. Around 6,000 of these children are in the south west.

Dr Julie Yates, lead consultant for screening and immunisation for Public Health England South West, said: "It’s a real concern that so many young children in our region could be starting school without the full protection that the NHS childhood immunisation programme offers for free.

"We know that parents want the best protection for their children and so many may be unaware that their child is not up-to-date. We’re urging all parents of primary school starters to check their child’s Red Book now to make sure there is a record of two MMR doses and the 4-in-1 booster vaccine. If not, parents should contact their GP practice to arrange any further vaccinations that are needed.

“We’re particularly concerned about children being at greater risk of measles. We’ve seen outbreaks of this and mumps across the south west in the past year and we’re continuing to see outbreaks of the disease occurring in communities across the country, many linked to visiting European countries over the summer holidays.

“We often think that these diseases are confined to the past, but the World Health Organisation has recently confirmed that measles is no longer eliminated in England."

For more information visit nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations