Labour's health spokesperson claims the number of people having their children immunised with the MMR jab is still too low, despite an increase from 2006 to 2007. The figures are contained within a report on the health of the local population and the services needed to go before the council's Executive next week.

Coun. Tracey Simpson-Laing said earlier doubts about the jab had proved unfounded, commenting:

"The impact of earlier claims about the link to autism from having the MMR jab cannot be underestimated. Thankfully the trend for parents and carers turning it down has been reversed, and last year saw a 3% increase to 90% of 2 year olds immunised. But this is still too low, and needs to be increased to at least 95%, ideally higher".

The Strategic Needs Assessment for York report provides a summary of the health of York residents. Coun. Simpson-Laing says she thinks there is still a health risk for those who are not vaccinated, and that it is the safest choice for those needing to decide how to protect their children as they grow up.

"I understand why many parents have questioned whether to have the immunisation for their children after the reports produced by Dr Wakefield into possible side effects of the vaccine. However, the devastating effects of measles, which can cause blindness and even death, needs to be taken into consideration, as does the experience of small children having mumps. As an adult these diseases can also be dangerous. When I had my daughter immunised, I weighed up the evidence and decided that the MMR jab was the most sensible option. I am glad I took this course of action, especially given recent outbreaks of measles across the country".

Coun. Simpson-Laing also notes that a recent bulletin of the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the UK was one of the countries needing to improve their routine vaccination programme, particularly if the WHO target to eliminate measles by 2010 across Europe is to be achieved.