Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

February 19, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Fears of Measles Outbreak; Experts Say Parents' Worries Over MMR Vaccine Are Putting City at Risk" Coventry Evening Telegraph (iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk )

(02/17/03) P. 7; Hambridge, Karen

British health experts say the risk of a possible measles breakout in Coventry is growing higher by the day as parents continue to refuse to vaccinate their children with the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  Despite assurances from local and national health officials that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism in children, many parents are refusing to inoculate their children with the vaccine.  Dr. Keith Williams, director of public health for Coventry, says roughly 84.7 percent of the city has been vaccinated against the measles, but that "we would like it to be at least 90 percent and preferably 95 percent."  At this rate of vaccinations, Williams says "it would only take a couple of cases" to touch off a potentially fatal outbreak.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.