The number of measles cases is set to exceed 1,000 for the first time in decades as vaccination rates for the MMR jab have stalled.

One in four children in England is still not receiving the suggested two doses of MMR – which guards against measles, mumps and rubella – meaning that coverage is significantly lower than that needed to prevent a measles epidemic, the latest figures show.

The triple vaccine has proved highly controversial in recent years because of claims that it may be linked to bowel disorders and autism. The rise in cases comes despite strenuous efforts by the Government to reassure parents over the vaccine’s safety.

The refusal of parents to have their children inoculated is understood to be a key factor behind the resurgence of the illness, which can be life-threatening or cause severe disabilities. It affects mainly the under18s. Across the country, 85 per cent of two-year-olds had the first dose of the triple MMR jab in the past year.

To achieve the “herd immunity” that is needed to all but eradicate the illness, 95 per cent of children need to be vaccinated. Only 24 out of 152 primary care trusts recorded uptake rates of more than 90 per cent for at least one dose – and none achieved the 95 per cent mark over the past year.

The Government has pledged £5.5 million and ordered local health authorities to undertake catchup programmes to immunise all children and teenagers who have not received a full course of vaccination.

Without an improvement in coverage, a measles epidemic will happen “at some point”, officials say.

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