Children and staff at a Sheppey school have been offered the MMR vaccine after a suspected outbreak of measles.

One pupil at Eastchurch Primary School has been confirmed to have the disease, 18 others are thought to have it.

All the youngsters are recovering and laboratory tests are being carried out to confirm whether it is measles.

This morning The Health Protection Agency’s Kent Health Protection Unit offered the controversial vaccine to any pupils and staff at the school who had either not been vaccinated, not had the necessary two doses of MMR vaccine or who were unsure of their immunisation history.

This is the second time in as many weeks that the HPU has acted to protect children in a measles outbreak. The first was reported in Cranbrook School and 87 students and staff were vaccinated after one case of measles was confirmed and a further three suspected.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, Director of the Kent HPU said: “It was important to act quickly and ensure those are not vaccinated are protected once measles was confirmed and other cases suspected.

“Once one case of measles has been confirmed, it is very likely that further suspected cases will also be measles. It is highly infectious and can be passed on without direct contact before the rash appears. It is a very serious infection as it can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, even in healthy children. This is why it is important to continue to remind parents about the benefits of having their child vaccinated with two doses of MMR for optimum protection. It is never too late to get vaccinated.”

Head teacher Mrs Pauline Shipley said: “We were pleased to work with the Health Protection Agency and take action to safeguard the health of our pupils and staff.”

The MMR vaccine has proved controversial after reports of a suspected link to autism.

There is no evidence to prove this link.