Public Health Wales says 16-24 year-olds need to check if they’ve been vaccinated.
The call follows an outbreak of the disease in Cardiff City Centre this week.
So far, there have been six confirmed cases and a further two potential cases.
Measles has no symptoms for two weeks, meaning this figure could rise.
Public Health Wales Registrar, Dr Alice Puchades said, “One of the factors that can cause outbreaks like this to happen is parent’s choosing not to vaccinate their children. When this generation were young, there were a lot of stories in the media about the safety of the Measles Mumps and Rubella [MMR] vaccine and possible links to autism.”
Current data from Public Health Wales shows nearly an eighth of 14-17 year olds in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan have not finished their full MMR course.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly infectious disease known for causing large red rashes across the body. Other symptoms include fevers, coughs, and inflamed eyes.
The disease was almost eradicated 20 years ago after vaccines were introduced across the UK in the 1980.
Before the vaccination was introduced, the disease killed 100 children in England and Wales every year.
Why is measles making a comeback?
Health experts say the UK-wide vaccination programme is still feeling the effects of a now discredited 2003 MMR study, which shook public faith in vaccines.
Dr Martyn Evans is a GP in Saint Mellons. He said the problem is linked to reluctance from young parents.
“Almost everyone takes their first vaccine now, so the fear around MMR seems to have gone away. What we’re now seeing is parent apathy. A lot of young parents haven’t experienced measles and often think one dose is enough, so don’t return for their [child’s] second jabs.”
Dr Puchades added, “As long as we have unvaccinated people there remains the potential for future outbreaks. Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against measles and I’d encourage anyone who thinks they haven’t had both, to see their GP. ”
Public Health Wales say the current outbreak is not yet contained, but they will not know how far it has spread until March 13th when they collect the latest hospital data.
