MMR vaccination: friend or foe?

Autism, a condition leading to a delayed speech and communication and intellectual impairment, usually diagnosed in the second year of life.

Research has shown that Autism did not rise after the introduction of the MMR vaccine. No single study has shown a risk of MMR vaccination causing autism, but many studies have shown no link.

The scientific evidence is that MMR does not cause autism - for more information, visit www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk.

It has been suggested that the MMR can be given as three separate injections at least a year apart. There is no published evidence to support the separate dose suggestion, which is counter to recommendations.

There are clear adverse consequences from following such a suggestion: coverage for three separate immunisations will undoubtedly be less than that where only one is needed - some children will inevitably miss one or two jabs.

During the period from the first to the third injections children will be left unnecessarily at risk from serious diseases whilst they wait, unprotected, for two years or more between vaccines.

During this time they and their contacts are at risk of infection. Nothing in life is without risk, but here the balance, for most people, is in favour of having the MMR Vaccine.

It not only protects the patient, but also unborn babies. This was my own, ultimate decision, having taken the time to read all of the available medically reported documentation - and this was vast.

As a caring medical practitioner, I like to feel that I was able to talk with my patients, to listen to them, understand their fears, and then try to help them make a decision that was right for them.

Whatever this decision was, even if, perhaps different to my own, I was always there for them to give the support that they needed.

By the way, one of my own grandchildren has quite severe Autism. The suspicions were raised and the diagnosis was actually assumed well before he received his MMR vaccine.

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