MORE than 550 children in Dorset are at risk of potentially deadly diseases because they are either missing key doses or have not been vaccinated at all.

The figures have been released today for the launch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) World Immunisation Week which is calling on parents to check their child is up to date with important vaccinations to protect them from serious disease and help to prevent outbreaks.

The organisation said while most parents do ensure their child is fully vaccinated, early childhood vaccinations are vitally important as they help to build immunity, protecting a child against a host of serious diseases such as some strains of meningitis, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella and whooping cough.

Successful vaccination programmes have helped to make such diseases much rarer, but they are still in circulation and if vaccination levels fall, the likelihood of an outbreak is increased.

In 2016 only 89 per cent of children in Bournemouth had received both doses of the MMR jab, meaning 219 are potentially not protected. That figure is 230 across Dorset and 127 in Poole.

Just 83 per cent of eligible Bournemouth children had received the 4-in-1 pre-school booster, with more than 331 children in Bournemouth, 237 children in Dorset and 114 children in Poole not fully protected against the risk of diphtheria, polio, tetanus and whooping cough. It is likely that these children missed other earlier jabs too.

It is particularly important that a child is up to date with their vaccinations before they start school as this is when they come into contact with many more potential sources of infection.

It is not too late for children to catch up with their vaccinations, ensuring that they are fully protected. Parents and carers are urged to speak to their GP surgery.

Nigel Acheson, Medical Director for NHS England South, said: “While the majority of parents are ensuring their child is fully vaccinated, many children are still missing doses, putting them at risk.

“Vaccination protects your child and the wider population from serious diseases and it is vital that they complete all the doses to build up the right levels of protection, particularly before they go to school.

“We know that for busy parents it can be easy to lose track of which jabs your child has had, but it is not too late – speak to your GP surgery to check if your child is up-to-date with their jabs and make sure your child is protected.”