 Young people are being offered vaccinations in schools and colleges |
The biggest outbreak of mumps in 20 years has hit Scotland with twice as many suspected cases as last year. Doctors have warned that young people aged between 17 and 20, who were born before the MMR vaccine was fully introduced, are most at risk.
There have been more than 4,000 suspected cases this year, although only half of those have been confirmed.
Most people make a full recovery from mumps but it can cause deafness or infertility.
The figure represents a huge rise on the number of cases at this point in 2004.
A vaccination programme in high risk areas such as schools and colleges is already under way although doctors say the uptake among the 17-20 age group is usually low.
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