Fears are growing of a fresh surge of measles infections as children across the country prepare to return to school in September. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned parents of an uptick in the airborne illness over the summer and urged them to prioritise vaccination in a bid to protect their children from potentially deadly complications.

Data published on Thursday showed that just 83.7% of children in England had received both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine by their fifth birthday, however - a slight fall from the previous year and significantly below the 95% target. Health officials are also concerned that children, who are most vulnerable under five-years-old, may have caught measles while on family holidays in Europe, with cases at a 25-year high on the continent. As of August 18, there had been 742 lab-confirmed cases of measles in England this year, including 40 new cases in the last four weeks, mainly in London and the northwest.

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So far in the UK, most cases have been reported among children under 10. One child tragically died at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool in July after contracting the infection.

While one in two confirmed cases have been in London, which has by the far the lowest rates of MMR vaccincations, not one council in England has hit the vaccination target of 95%, which the World Health Organisation says is essential to achieving "herd immunity" and preventing illnesses from transmitting across the population.

Hackney, which has the second-lowest rate of vaccine protection against measles in the country, has seen the highest number of cases, with 94, including 15 new cases since the last update.

The MMR vaccination has slipped below 75% in 30 council areas, including 28 London boroughs, Nottingham and Manchester.

Earlier this summer, Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist with the UKHSA, urged parents to make sure their children's vaccinations are "up to date" to ensure they don't "regret it later".

"Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles," she said.

"Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems cannot have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them."

The first MMR vaccine is available to infants after they turn one and the second dose to pre-school children above three years and four months old.

Around 99% of those with both doses will be protected against measles and rubella, and the risk and severity of mumps infections will also be reduced. Brits of any age who have not had two doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment.