Researchers at University College London (UCL) and Great Ormond Street hospital found more than six per cent of children aged five to seven had not been immunised against measles, mumps or rubella.
Helen Bedford, senior lecturer at UCL, said there were nearly 1,000 cases of measles among children in 2007, compared with an average of about 100 in 1995.
She said publicity surrounding the alleged link between the MMR jab and autism had led to parents consciously deciding not to have their children immunised. She added: "There's never been any good evidence which actually did show a link."
The study, published by the BMJ, said the level of children immunised against measles, mumps and rubella was well below the number needed to prevent outbreaks.
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