The Latest Breaking News from Helen Bedford

Child reportedly died at Alder Hey hospital amid surge of measles cases in city

Global efforts to protect children against diseases like measles, polio and tuberculosis have stalled since 2010, leaving millions vulnerable to deadly infections

Helen Bedford, a professor of children’s health at University College London, has said vaccine uptake needs to be higher to contain such diseases

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis, and on rare occasions, long-term disability or death. Symptoms include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash.

Parents and guardians urged to ensure children are vaccinated against potentially deadly disease, with adults also eligible for jabs

It's good news that parents still have faith in vaccinations and support a new jab so their children can avoid the illness, says Miriam Stoppard

Experts say making the jabs routinely available would mean parents will no longer need to expose their children to 'chickenpox parties'

Making chickenpox jabs widely available would mean parents no longer need to expose their children to 'chicken pox parties'

Research suggests about three-quarters of parents would support a chickenpox jab being added to the childhood vaccination schedule.