Children from Pembroke Dock are helping to remind parents to get their little ones the MMR vaccination.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause complications including pneumonia, meningitis and encephalitis, particularly in children under five years of age, those with weakened immune systems and children with a poor diet. It can even be fatal in rare cases.

Many people who catch measles will have a fever, cough, red eyes, and blocked nose and feel generally unwell. The blotchy rash appears a few days later beginning on the face and spreading downwards to the rest of the body over several days. Typically, people will be infectious from a few days before the onset of their rash until four to five days after the onset of the rash.

Most people make a full recovery, but there is a rare possibility of severe complications including serious eye disorders, deafness, brain damage and even death.

Measles can be prevented by use of the safe and highly effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Parents can easily protect their children by having them immunised with the MMR vaccine. After completing a two-dose course of MMR, 99 per cent of children will be protected against measles.

Jumping Beans Nursery display immunisation leaflets and posters and have use forms to collect immunisation and vaccination status of children when they register with the setting. Staff have also received training regarding immunisation and vaccination in order to signpost parents if a gap in the child's record is identified.

Liz Western, senior public health officer, stated: "Vaccines are known to be the safest way to protect your child against certain serious diseases. Having your child immunised means you have made an important decision to protect your child."

More information about measles is available from the Public Health Wales website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgId=457&pid=25444">http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgId=457&pid=25444