Italy’s populist coalition has called for nearly a million children and young people to be given vaccinations against measles amid an “emergency” over the rising number of cases.

The Five Star Movement and The League, which make up the populist government that came to power in June, have previously peddled conspiracy theories about the supposed risks of having vaccinations.

But they now seem to have renounced their scepticism, with the health ministry calling for 800,000 infants, children and young adults to receive vaccinations against measles.

"Given that there is a measles emergency, we will uphold the obligation for children up to the age of 16 (to be vaccinated)," said Vittorio Demicheli, a member of a ministerial commission of experts.

Adolescents and young adults aged up to 30 would also be urged to have the jabs if they have not already done so, he said.

Teachers and health professionals will also be required to have the jabs, the ministry said.