PARENTS are being urged to make sure their children have the MMR vaccination before they return to school.

The vaccine protects youngsters against measles, mumps and rubella and needs to be given in two separate doses.

Lead consultant paediatrician and immunisation adviser at NHS Greenwich, Dr Julia Hale, said: “The summer holidays are an ideal time for parents to get their children vaccinated, before they go back to school and mix with their friends and classmates.

“It’s also important for children to be vaccinated if the family are going abroad this year, in case there is an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella while they are in another country.”

For more information, visit greenwich.nhs.uk/your_health/measles