THE North-East has the highest take-up of the controversial MMR vaccine in the country, according to figures released today.

The study shows that in 2004-5, 80.4 per cent of children in the region were immunised with the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, well above the national average of 73.3 per cent.

However, the North-East varies from 68.2 per cent for Gateshead Primary Care Trust (PCT) to 86.2 per cent in the Northumberland PCT area.

Many parents abandoned the triple MMR jab after research carried out in 1998 claimed it caused autism in infants.

That research has since been discredited, with most experts agreeing that the vaccine is safe.

Darlington PCT had an 80.1 per cent uptake of the MMR jab - just over the Government target of 80 per cent.

Director of public health at Darlington PCT Nonnie Crawford said: "Reaching the 80 per cent mark for MMR take-up is quite good, but we are really aiming for much more.

"We would like to hit 95 per cent, because the more children we can protect against measles, mumps and rubella the better.

"These really are horrible childhood diseases and are not to be underestimated.

"The MMR vaccination is the best way forward."

Physiotherapists have warned the drop in children receiving the MMR jab could have serious long-term health consequences.

In parts of the country, the number of children receiving the vaccine are well below average.

London has the lowest uptake, with 57.2 per cent of children having the jab, and only 11.7 per cent in Westminster.

The study has been carried out by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP).

Physiotherapists are worried because the long-term effects of catching measles, mumps or rubella include arthritis, encephalitis - inflammation of the brain - and arthralgia, pain in a joint due to inflammation.

In some cases, physiotherapists may be called on to help people suffering from these problems.

Sarah Bazin, of the CSP, said: "This study demonstrates the absolute necessity of getting healthcare messages correct.

"While the research that sparked controversy over the MMR jab has been discredited, uptake remains patchy across the country, showing that, when panic and confusion reign, public health can be seriously compromised."