When I was young my grandfather told me the story of when his family were infected by diphtheria - this was a disease that killed by swelling up the windpipe so that the victim literally suffocated. My granddad was cured by the only way people know how at the time - a red hot poker down the throat to burn out the infection. I remember him telling of his younger brother who was too young to have this done and his mother holding him up to an open window in a vain attempt to get air before he died. This was a terrible disease which innoculation has virtually eliminated. I am not against vaccinations.

When I was young myself, measles was just something that you got, you were poorly for a time and then got over, having lifelong immunity. It did not create fear among communities and there were even "measles parties". Having said that, there can be complications as with any disease and most people would probably have no problem with a single measles jab.

I've just heard the tragic news that someone has possibly died of measles in Wales - he was 24, so if this is the case it is long after when he should have had this childhood illness. All these illnesses are serious when contacted when out of childhood. He may even have had the MMR jab - we don't know yet.

This issue needs a serious debate