ANOTHER private clinic is offering single jabs for mumps, measles and rubella to North-East parents just days after official figures showed that im- munisation rates have fallen.

Healthchoice, a London and Cambridge-based health care group, which offers a range of primary care services, is organising clinics at eight locations, including Newcastle.

The group is the third organisation to move into the region to offer parents an alternative to the controversial triple MMR vaccine.

Public health officials are particularly worried that the average uptake of the triple MMR vaccine now stands at 84 per cent across England and Wales, down three per cent on the previous year.

Health bosses stress that immunisation rates in the North-East are generally higher.

Kathryn Durnford, spokeswoman for Healthchoice UK, said that the group was already experiencing huge demand for the individual MMR vaccinations, despite the high cost of private immunisation.

This was particularly noticeable in the North-East, she said.

"The steady flow of inquiries continues to demonstrate that many parents are still not convinced that the triple vaccine is safe," she said.

For details of Healthchoice UK's services call 0870 442 3993 or visit the website www.healthchoiceuk.co.uk

Government experts have repeatedly advised parents that the triple MMR vaccine is a safe way to protect children from potentially serious illness.

Parents can now ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 and request a free information pack. The latest MMR information is also available online at www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk