Measles a threat to 15,000 children in region
More than 15,000 children in the region are at risk of catching measles because they have not been vaccinated, it has been revealed.
New figures have been released in the wake of a measles outbreak in Wales where there have been 1,011 cases, with the 10 to 18 age group hardest hit.
Health chiefs across the Black Country and Staffordshire are now planning to offer the vaccination to those between the ages of 10 and 16.
Staffordshire County Council said about 5,925 children between seven and 16 had not had the two MMR jabs required.
Around 5,607 youngsters in Sandwell have not had both MMR jabs, with 2,760 of these not even having had one. In Dudley around 3,800 children have not had the two two jabs required.
Wolverhampton City Council, which confirmed four cases of measles last year, said 3,028 children between 10 and 16 had either had only one jab or none at all. In Walsall there were no cases of measles last year but two were described as 'probable' so far this year.
While council figures show more than 95 per cent of children aged between 24 months and five years were vaccinated between April and December last year, there were no numbers saying how many teenagers may have missed the jab.