THE proportion of North-East toddlers being immunised with the MMR triple vaccine is on the increase for the first time in years.

Statistics published by the Department of Health this week show that 85 per cent of North-East children were immunised by their second birthday during 2004 to 2005.

This is a two per cent increase on the previous year and the first upward movement since the high-water mark of 91 per cent was reached in 1999 to 2000.

It matched a slight increase in the MMR uptake across England as a whole.

The 81 per cent uptake, one per cent up on the previous year, is the first year-on-year increase nationally since 1995 to 1996.

North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority also had an 85 per cent MMR take-up.

Fears that the triple measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could be linked to bowel disease and autism put parents off taking their children to clinics.

But, after a largely successful public information campaign by the Government to persuade parents that the triple vaccine is safe and effective, the proportion of families opting for the MMR jab is rising again.

Doctors in charge of immunisation want to see the figure hit 95 per cent ultimately, making it unlikely that an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella could take hold.

The uptake of vaccines for other childhood illnesses across England, including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib)and meningitis C remained at about 93 per cent, very similar to the 2003 to 2004 figures.

The North-East was broadly in line with this figure, although some primary care trusts did exceptionally well.

Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT achieved 97 per cent uptake in diptheria and tetanus and 96 per cent in polio, pertussis, Hib and meningitis C, while the region reached the low 90s.

However, some parts of the North-East did not do so well.

Middlesbrough and Langbaurgh PCTs came in with only an 86 per cent uptake and Newcastle 88 per cent.

Dr Tricia Cresswell, director of public health with Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, said: "We do give child immunisation a very high priority. It is something we take very seriously as a PCT. It is still the most protective measure for children in terms of serious illness that we can deliver."