PARENTS are being urged to have their children vaccinated against a potential measles outbreak after nine suspected cases were identified.

Doctors have raised concerns about the number of children being immunised amid fears over the triple MMR jab.

Last month, three youngsters from the north Teesside area were tested for the infection, but so far no cases have been confirmed.

Swabs taken from the youngsters have been sent to a London clinic and the results may not be known for up to four weeks.

However, a number of cases have tested positive in County Durham and on Tyneside.

Dr Ian Holtby, consultant in communicable disease control at Tees Health, said that, although 81 per cent of children up to the age of two are being vaccinated, and 90 per cent of them after that, it is still not enough.

He said: "Our MMR coverage rates are still a lot lower than we would like them to be and I would not be surprised if we do get the odd positive result back.

"Children need to be vaccinated early on to so their immunity is better."