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Anti-MMR parents put others at risk
5:10pm Saturday 9th August 2008
Comments (6)PARENTS who do not allow their children to have the MMR jab risk spreading measles says a health chief.
Dr Richard Harling, director of public health for Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, is committed to increasing the number of children who get immunised against measles, mumps and rubella.
Dr Harling describes measles is a “serious disease” that was once feared.
Measles killed 250,000 worldwide in 2006 according to the World Health Organisation.
In Worcestershire 88 per cent of children have the first dose at two years old and 80 per cent at five have the second booster dose.
Although this is above the national average which is 84 per cent for the first dose and 76 per cent for the second, Dr Harling says more needs to be done.
At least 95 per cent of the county’s children should have both jabs to prevent the spread of measles which is highly infectious.
He said: “It’s good but it’s not good enough. Parents who do not get their children immunised risk the health of their own children and other children.
“There is no scientific evidence to justify claims of a risk of autism. No link has been found and such studies have been debunked.”
Uptake rates vary across the country but are particularly low in London and the Department of Health is making extra doses available and pledging more cash to help the NHS vaccinate youngsters.
Lead author Dr Andrew Wakefield is currently appearing before the General Medical Council on charges relating to research published in the medical journal The Lancet which suggested a link between the MMR jab and autism and bowel disease.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has written to all Primary Care Trusts asking them to help cut the risk of a measles epidemic.
Across the country the number of measles cases is on the rise. There were 1,726 cases in England and Wales in 2006 and 2007, more than the previous decade put together when there were 1,621 cases (1996-2005).
For more information visit immunisation.nhs.uk
Your Say YourWorcester News
rammbler64, Worcester says...
8:33pm Sat 9 Aug 08
hotfuzz, Worcestershire says...
9:32pm Sat 9 Aug 08
hotfuzz, Worcestershire says...
10:12pm Sat 9 Aug 08
That part of the argument seems to be completely missed !!!!
rammbler64, Worcester says...
6:34pm Sun 10 Aug 08
However, I'm all in favour of personal choice. Anyone who prefers to take the 3 separate vaccines can do so at most BUPA clinics.... they just need to pay the appropriate fee. The NHS funds the most efficient treatments supported by the majority of the scientific community; individuals are at liberty to choose any alternative treatment if they're prepared to fund it themselves. Sounds fair to me.
Jackie Fletcher, JABS, UK says...
7:11pm Thu 21 Aug 08
Until the question of MMR safety is resolved the option of single dose vaccines on the NHS should be made available for any parents who want them. If the Government is concerned about the threat of a measles epidemic then single measles vaccines should be made available as a priority. It shouldn't be MMR or nothing to protect a manufacturer's patent and profits.
The UK's health officials are also out of touch with the real world when they keep repeating the mantra that the MMR isn't linked with autism. In the United States government judges have conceded that a number of children have developed autism following multiple vaccines, including MMR.
Anti-MMR parents put others at risk
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hotfuzz, Worcestershire says...
8:15pm Sat 9 Aug 08
If we were in the current climate re MMR vaccines and the autism debate, I would move heaven and earth to have my child given the separate vaccines - irrespective of the financial cost to me.
Why oh why does the government behave in such an autocratic way and then moan about individual parents who feel so strongly and, not being irresponsible, want to have the separate vaccines? Why do that make it all so difficult?
If they are concerned about a measles epidemic - then for goodness sake, do whatever it takes to help avoid one - even if it means allowing those parents who wish to use alternatives to the MMR to do so.