PARENTS are heeding the calls of GPs across the borough and booking their children in for MMR jabs.
It follows the news that 1,056 children, between the ages of 10 and 16, had not completed their course of the controversial vaccine and were more at risk of contracting measles.
Mandy King, 44, of Carnforth Crescent, Grimsby, decided enough was enough when she saw the front page of the Grimsby Telegraph and took her daughter Ellie Bell, 11, to the doctors.
She said: "Ellie had her initial MMR jab before the age of two but not her pre-school booster.
"I took her for it but she was so frightened of having it done that I changed my mind.
"I have tried since then to get her to have the second vaccination, but she just wouldn't do it. At one point she ran out of the doctor's room."
Mandy also said that Ellie has been poorly on several occasions and it was always a worry that she had not completed her MMR jabs.
She said: "She always gets colds, throat infections and ear ache.
"After hearing about the measles outbreak in Wales and then reading the paper about the number of children without the vaccine in North East Lincolnshire, it made me realise she must have it done."
Ellie, together with her mum, attended an appointment at the Raj Medical Centre, in Laceby Road, Grimsby.
Despite her previous worries, Ellie said the injection was not as bad as she thought.
"I was scared it was going to really hurt but it just stung a little bit," she said.
"I didn't look as the needle went in my arm and it was over very quickly.
"I am happy I have it done now."
Mandy wants to encourage other parents whose children have outstanding vaccinations to get booked in with their GP.
She said: "It is a weight off my mind now and I feel relieved that if an outbreak of measles did occur round here, Ellie will have a better chance of fighting against it."
The generation of youngsters without the jab were due for it at the time of the since discredited report linking it to autism.
Kerrie Pasquill-Johnson, clinical nurse manager at the Raj Medical Centre, urges all parents to check their child's vaccination records are up-to-date.
"We have had a lot more calls from parents ringing up to enquire about the MMR jab since the outbreak occurred in Wales.
"I have been dealing with child immunisations for the past seven years and I have not had anyone react badly to it.
"It is extremely important that a child is fully protected as it reduces the risk of diseases spreading.
"The injection is over in seconds, but results last a lifetime."
THE GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH EDITOR'S VIEWA CHILD is precious to any parent and the vast majority of adults wish to protect their sons and daughters at all costs. But in doing so they act on advice that appears ill informed and can actually do more harm than good. The MMR issue is a prime example of parents being left bewildered and confused by what they thought was verified advice. Many will remember the alarm and chaos that was caused by the now discredited MMR link to autism. The press seized on the issue and nationwide publicity actually led parents to believe any decision to immunise their children meant they would be to blame if that infant then went on to develop autism. Parents were left either worrying like mad if their child had already had the jab, or in a real 'do or don't' dilemma. Whatever steps necessary should be taken to ensure this does not happen in the future. *Were you affected by this issue – comment on this story at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor