A MASS immunisation programme has halted the spread of a potentially fatal virus across mid Cheshire.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says that since more than 2,000 school children were vaccinated with the MMR jab in December there have been fewer reported cases of measles.

Hugh Lamont, from the HPA, said: “We would have had many more were it not for a very successful immunisation campaign in schools in central and eastern Cheshire.

“But the campaign still continues and the message to anyone out there is that vaccination against measles is very important.

“MMR is a very safe and proven vaccine that will give lifelong protection.”

There have now been 135 reported cases of measles in central and eastern Cheshire, 53 of which have been confirmed by laboratory tests.

In Northwich seven children have been struck down with the virus, 25 in Winsford and 35 in Middlewich.

The north west now has the highest number of measles cases outside London with 152 cases compared to 652 in the capital.

Professor Qutub Syed, director of the HPA north west, said: “Our figures were inflated by a major outbreak of measles in central and eastern Cheshire in October and November.

“That is why it is so important for parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated with MMR at age 13 months and again before going to school.

“We also need to keep reminding parents that it is not too late to have older, unprotected children vaccinated.

“Measles is highly infectious and it can spread like wildfire when it gets into unprotected communities. It can have serious side effects including fits, chest infections, meningitis, encephalitis, and in extreme cases even death.”

Parents are urged to contact their GP if their children have not been immunised.