Immunology, infectious diseases and allergy

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s immunisation expert Dr David Elliman responds to latest MMR figures:

"It is good to hear that the uptake of routine vaccines in children continues to rise."

"The increasing number of cases of measles is worrying and reflects what we know to be a large group of older school age children who were not vaccinated some 10 years ago or more."

The first vaccine which protects children against hand, foot and mouth disease has been reported by scientists in China.

The infection causes a rash and painful blisters, but in some cases results in brain infections which can be fatal.

A trial involving 10,000 children, published in the Lancet, showed the vaccine was 90% effective against one virus which causes the disease.

It does not protect against other viruses that result in the disease. Viruses can cause large outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease.

More than 50,000 people have received the MMR vaccination in the past two months following the measles outbreak in Swansea, health officials have said.

Public Health Wales said that 52,502 non-routine MMR vaccinations were given to people of all ages between the beginning of March and May 13. But they warned against complacency as figures in the epidemic area and in Gwent, where there are increasing concerns about the disease, continue to rise.