People who thought they were keeping their children safe by avoiding the MMR jab may find the exact opposite is true this summer.

That’s the message from the Island’s public health directorate, which says it fears children who haven’t been immunised could bring back measles from their family holiday abroad.

The disease can lead to extremely serious complications and health officials say parents should have their youngsters vaccinated before visiting countries such as Greece and France.

Public health nurse Pam Kermode says by far the best way to eradicate the disease is through childhood immunisation.