HEALTH officials have organised immunisation sessions at seven more primary schools to try to halt the worrying rise in measles cases.

In the past week, the number of confirmed measles cases in the Hartlepool area jumped from 48 to 54 and the number of suspected cases went up from 85 to 102.

While the largest cluster of cases is in Hartlepool, there are 84 confirmed cases across the North-East.

NHS officials fear the outbreak could become more widespread, because large numbers of children have not been fully immunised against measles.

Most cases produce unpleasant but mild symptoms. However, in a minority of patients it can lead to potentially serious complications.

The MMR immunisation rate in Hartlepool is just above 80 per cent at the age of two, which means that nearly one in five young children in the town are at risk of contracting the highly-infectious disease.

The public health team at NHS Hartlepool has organised a series of primary school clinics.

All children in primary schools in Hartlepool will receive a letter and consent form about the clinics next week.

Parents are asked to sign and return consent forms to their child’s school. Younger brothers and sisters who need vaccinations can also attend the clinics.

Students in secondary schools are being advised to go to their GP for vaccination.

During this next week, NHS Hartlepool has arranged clinics in the following primary schools: Monday – Golden Flatts Primary School (9am to 1.30pm); Tuesday – St Helen’s Primary School (9am to 3.30pm); Wednesday – West View Primary School (9am to 3.30pm); Thursday – St John’s Vianney RC Primary School, Children’s Centre (9am to 4pm) and Rossmere Primary School (9am to 2pm); Friday – St Bega’s RC Primary School (9am-2pm) and Throston Primary School, Low Throston (9am to 1.30pm).

Further clinics are being planned in all of the primary schools across Hartlepool before the end of the school year.

Professor Peter Kelly, executive director of public health, urged parents to take steps to protect their children. He said: “These clinics are an ideal opportunity to protect your loved ones from measles, which is caused by a very infectious virus.

“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and prevents illnesses that have real potential to cause serious harm.”