YOUNG people in Brent could be at greater risk from measles because of low vaccination rates.

The borough has had the highest number of cases of the virus in north west London this year and both Brent Council and Brent Primary Care Trust (PCT) are worried too few children are being given immunisation jabs.

Forty five out of 87 children infected in the region between January and September were from Brent and three schools were affected.

Councillor Paul Lorber, leader of Brent Council, pointed to stories run in the national press suggesting the MMR can cause autism as a possible reason why some children have not had vaccinations.

He said: “I think all the national controversy about MMR has clearly had an impact. That unfortunately has been going on for about ten years now.

“People just need reassurance that the vaccinations are as safe as they can be.”

The Health Protection Agency is also urging residents to get their children vaccinated and a joint statement from the three authorities warns that low immunisation rates can allow the virus to spread more quickly.

Dr Deepti Kumar, a consultant from the North West London Health Protection Unit, said: "Measles is a very serious infection as it can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis.

“It is not possible to tell who will be seriously affected by measles. This is why it's incredibly important to continue to remind parents about the benefits of having their child vaccinated with two doses of MMR for optimum protection.”

Council officers say the virus has had the biggest impact on the Eastern European, Somali and Afro-Caribbean communities.

For more information visit www.brentpct.nhs.uk.