I FELT I needed to write about the debate going on between GP Dr Peter Mansfield and Dr Brian McCloskey, Director of Public Health for Worcestershire Health Authority.

My daughter suffers from Asperger's - not due to the MMR vaccine (my personal opinion). However, a friend of mine, who has an autistic son feels that it did contribute.

When he received the MMR, he had a fit the following day, which left him with severe autistic needs. No one in the health authority should have the right to take away the choice of single vaccinations.

However, now that Dr McCloskey has taken that right away, parents will think they have two options left open to them - either to have the MMR with the risk of disorders or opt out and take the chances of measles that causes blindness and even death.

This theory of a connection between MMR and autism/bowel disorders has not yet been fully investigated. So until it is established either way, wouldn't it be advisable to give parents a choice?

DAWN TURNER,

Worcester