Parents from north- east Essex are helping an investigation to improve the uptake of the MMR vaccine in children.

Members of the county council’s East Essex Area Forum visited playgroups and community centres around the area to speak to parents about their decision over the vaccination.

The forum launched its inquiry in September after finding out Colchester has the lowest uptake of the vaccine in Essex.

The Government recommends 90 per cent of children receive the MMR vaccine by the age of two, but latest figures show just 74 per cent in Colchester received it.

The national average is 84 per cent.

Colchester mum Nicola Summers, whose daughter, Hannah, is aged six months, said: “Initially, I was not sure whether I was going to have it done for Hannah or whether the single jabs might be better.

“I was just not sure that a triple jab would be a bit much for her at that age.

“But then I realised that she had a jab with five injections when she was born so it felt less traumatic.”

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