Babies in Hertfordshire could be in danger of catching deadly diseases as figures show hundreds missed their first potentially life-saving vaccines.

Parents are being urged to get their children jabbed as experts warn outbreaks of serious illnesses could follow the lifting of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

By a baby's first birthday, they should have received a series of vaccinations to protect them against potentially fatal diseases.

The World Health Organisation recommends 95 per cent of babies should get the six-in-one vaccination, which protects against diseases including diptheria, polio and whooping cough, before the age of one to prevent outbreaks.

But Public Health England data shows immunisation rates are below that target in Hertfordshire where just 93.3 per cent of those who turned one between January and March this year had those jabs on time.

That means as many as 213 eligible babies missed their initial immunisations, though the vaccination rate has risen from 87.7 per cent the year before.

Young children should also receive a jab to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella – highly infectious diseases that can spread rapidly – before the age of two.

Figures show there has been a 1.3 per cent increase in the proportion of toddlers receiving their MMR vaccines in Hertfordshire, with 92 per cent of those who turned two in the same period vaccinated on time, though uptake is below the 95 per cent target.

While the NHS immunisation programme operated throughout the pandemic, Public Health England statisticians say the introduction of physical distancing measures may have contributed to missed appointments.

And the Royal Society of Public Health says fear of Covid-19 exposure and the "stay at home" message during lockdowns may have deterred parents from taking their children for jabs.

The Royal Society for Public Health say it is deeply concerning to see a "persistent decline" in uptake accompanied by a rise in vaccine preventable diseases.

The organisation has called for an investigation into whether disinformation campaigns surrounding the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines lessened confidence in other immunisation programmes.

Public Health England said the drop in vaccination levels was concerning and warned of potential disease outbreaks after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

Head of immunisation, Dr Mary Ramsay, said: "It is vital that children attend routine vaccination appointments and catch up on any vaccinations they have missed to prevent a resurgence of serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases."