MMR uptake rates have fallen

The number of children receiving the MMR vaccine in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level for more than two years, according to the latest figures.

Scotland's chief medical officer said he was concerned at the statistics.

Dr Mac Armstrong also issued a warning to parents about the dangers of not having their children immunised.

The controversial triple jab protects children against measles, mumps and rubella jab.

Some parents fear that the three-in-one vaccine could be responsible for a rise in child autism, although this has been rejected by government experts.

Dr Armstrong said the annual uptake rate for MMR appeared to be stabilising.

The executive will continue to work with health professionals and parents to restore confidence in MMR   Dr Mac Armstrong Chief medical officer

However, the latest quarterly statistics showed a fall of 0.5% to 86.1% in the percentage of children who had been immunised by the time they were 24 months old.

The figures for the three months to the end of March were published by the Information and Statistics Division of the Scottish Executive.

Dr Armstrong said: "It concerns me that the quarterly uptake is at the lowest level since the end of 2000.

"Immunisation in early childhood is still the safest and most effective way of protecting all children, and the wider community, against the risks of serious infectious diseases.

"The executive will continue to work with health professionals and parents to restore confidence in MMR.

"It should be remembered that postponing vaccination, or leaving children unvaccinated, poses risks to the whole community and could result in an outbreak of these potentially fatal diseases."

High level

Dr Armstrong said health professionals and parents were making "tremendous efforts" to commit to the childhood immunisation programme.

The statistics showed that the number of children being vaccinated against other illnesses remained above target.

Dr Armstrong said: "I welcome the generally high level of uptake of immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, Hib and meningitis C.

"This means that all children, and the population generally, can be assured of protection against these six serious diseases."

Last week Dr Armstrong launched a Hib booster campaign to counter the recent rise in the number of young children developing the disease, which can cause meningitis and septicaemia.