PARENTS are being reminded to check their children's vaccinations are up-to-date if they are starting school this autumn.
Hundreds of children in Kent miss out on the second jab to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella.
While between 93.1 and 95.6 per cent of youngsters have their first MMR dose by the time they are two, the rate for the second jab, given before the fifth birthday, is between 88.9 and 91.5 per cent.
Consultant in public health for NHS Kent and Medway, Dr Faiza Khan, said: "This is better than the England average of 86.9 per cent but still means around 1,200 children in Kent miss out on their second MMR vaccination each year.
"It may be that parents are busy and forget about this vaccination or that they do not realise how important it is.
"Both doses of the vaccination are needed to give children maximum protection against these serious diseases, and reduce the risk of outbreaks."
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