A DOCTOR is warning parents to get their children immunised against rubella, even though it has not been seen in the town for a generation.

Community Paediatrician Pat Walker is concerned that today's parents are not aware of the devastation rubella can cause because it has not been seen in Bolton for 23 years.

Rubella can occur when a pregnant woman is exposed to the virus at a key stage in the development of the unborn child. It can cause deafness, learning disabilities, heart defects, eye problems or even miscarriage or stillbirth.

The MMR vaccine is crucial to protecting against the dangers and Dr Walker is urging local parents to keep up their good record. The vaccine had an uptake of 88.2 per cent in Bolton last year, compared with 86 per cent in the North-west and 84 per cent in England.

Dr Walker said: "Complacency about vaccination could allow it to make a return and, while the illness itself is usually mild, just one case would be a tragedy for the family affected."

Immunisation levels need to remain above 90 per cent to stop any potential outbreaks of rubella and is just as vital for boys as well as girls as a man who catches rubella could pass it on to his pregnant partner in the future.

Parents can get more information on vaccination from their GP or health visitor or from www.immunisation.org.uk.