The number of measles cases in the first six months of 2012 was almost double that of the the same period last year, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said.

A total of 964 cases were reported in England and Wales between January and July, compared with 497 for the same period in 2011.

A total of 964 cases of measles were reported in England and Wales between January and July	More on vaccination Patients turn to pharmacists in measles epidemic  Cases of whooping cough rocket OTC: Worried about the MMR vaccination
	There have been two major outbreaks of measles this year – in Merseyside and Sussex – with additional outbreaks in traveller communities. Healthcare professionals have also seen a hike in cases of both mumps and rubella. HPA head of immunisation Mary Ramsay said that, although MMR uptake has improved in recent years, it was essential all children were protected ahead of term time.

"We are urging parents to ensure their children have received the two doses, which will provide the best protection," she added.

Uptake for the MMR vaccine in England is about 93 per cent for the first dose and 87 per cent for the second, up from below 80 per cent in 2002 following a warning of a link between the vaccination and autism, which was later discredited.