THE measles outbreak in England and Wales has sparked an MMR vaccination catch-up programme which started in Reading on Thursday after two reported cases in Berkshire.

Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and the Department of Health are targeting 10 to 16-year-olds who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated and aim to have as many as possible immunised by September, the start of the new school year.

Dr James Mapstone, Thames Valley PHE Centre's Interim Director, said: "Measles is a potentially fatal but entirely preventable disease. It is never too late to get vaccinated against measles."

PHE has recorded 587 cases of measles from January to March this year but only two cases were in Berkshire, both in the borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in February. There was one case in West Berkshire last year.

Dr Lise Llewellyn, Berkshire's new director of public health, said on Wednesday: "One in 10 children with measles is admitted to hospital but we are not in a panic situation yet. If you are unsure if your child is vaccinated contact your GP.

"I will stress that the group of children particularly vulnerable is 10 to 16-year-olds. We know we have more unvaccinated in this group than any other age group."

She added that supplies should be adequate as GPs have been told to stock up on vaccine in preparation for the catch-up programme. The Reading Walk-in Health Centre, in Broad Street Mall, confirmed it has the vaccine available for its registered patients, others should see their GP.

Chair of the British Medical Association's (BMA)GPs Committee, Dr Laurence Buckman, said: "This is the first big test for integrated working between these organisations since the NHS was restructured and it is important that we make it a success."

He added: "The MMR vaccine remains the safest and most effective way to protect individuals from measles, mumps and rubella. These diseases can be serious, so I urge parents to get children vaccinated."

Satty Mann, 44, of Tilehurst, had her 10-year-old son Ethan vaccinated last year. She said: "I'm so glad I did it when I could, look at the mess Wales is in now. I think this catch-up programme is a fantastic idea, this disease is spreading fast, and as a mother it is reassuring to know everything that can be done to stop it is happening."

Concerned parents should visit their GP to check if their child has had the MMR jab or visit www.facebook.com/getvaccinatedEngland