GP practices in the Newport area are setting up extra vaccination sessions for the MMR vaccine, following an outbreak of measles at a city school.

There have been five confirmed cases of the virus among pupils at Lliswerry High School, and vaccination sessions there and at six primary schools in the immediate area have resulted in almost 300 children receiving MMR.

The vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme offered in the UK, but not all children are fully protected.

“We are pleased that GPs are putting in place extra vaccination sessions to ensure that as many people as possible are protected from measles,” said Heather Lewis, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales. “Measles is highly infectious and the only way to prevent large outbreaks is through vaccination.

“Public Health Wales continues to urge parents to ensure their children have received two doses of the MMR vaccine to protect them against measles and its complications.”

The first dose of MMR is usually given to babies at between 12 and 13 months of age, and the second at three years and four months of age. But experts stress that it is never too late to catch up on missed doses.

Parents who suspect their child has measles should contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for an assessment. They should also alert their GP of the symptoms before attending any appointment.