British children face “a significantly increased risk” of contracting measles in Europe this summer, doctors have advised, as authorities warn of “an impending epidemic”.

While most adult travellers are not at risk, some 15% of British children have not been immunised against the disease because of unproven fears over the side effects of the combined vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

According to research carried out by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in Stockholm, following the reemergence of the highly infectious virus in the UK, 14 years after it had been effectively stamped out, it is now also prevalent in Switzerland, Austria and Italy, where there has been a similarly low uptake of the MMR jab.

The outbreak is at its most virulent in northern Italy, where officials report more than 1,500 instances of measles, mainly among young people, with new cases reported daily in Lombardy, Piedmont, the Veneto and Tuscany. EU advice for those travelling to these parts is “to ensure that their immunisations are up-to-date before leaving home.”

Times recommends

• The posties' guide to Britain
• New Orleans: the complete guide
• The 10 best pedicures in London