Feb 20 2003
 

By Louella Houldcroft Investigative Reporter, The Journal

New evidence which claims the triple MMR jab is safe was last night dismissed by North-East parents for not tackling the root of their concerns.

Many parents have avoided the jab following claims that its three live viruses can lead to persistent viral infections and even bowel problems or autism.

Now the Public Health Laboratory Service, a non-departmental Government body, says a new study shows there is no evidence that MMR causes immune system overload and, if anything, the injection even protects children from other infections.

But last night parents and campaigners said the study was "not worth the paper it is written on".

Lesley Henderson, from Widdrington, near Morpeth, whose son Toby, eight, is autistic, said: "What parents want to know is what causes autism so that we can then start looking at whether MMR is a factor.

"That is the only piece of research that is going to reassure parents and anything else is just a waste of money."

Jackie Fletcher, from Tynedale, is national co-ordinator of JABS, a support group for children damaged by vaccines.

She said the new study had only looked at a three month period, which was not long enough for some immunity problems to emerge.

And she said she was concerned whether it was truly independent because it was funded by drug companies.

"This is not worth the paper it is written on," she said.

"The study fails to look at the right group of children within the right period of time.

"And we also have concerns about a potential conflict of interest."

But Dr Liz Miller, head of immunisation division at the PHLS, backed the study, saying: "This is further research to add to the overwhelming weight of evidence that MMR is a safe and effective vaccine and that calls for single measles, mumps and rubella vaccines to avoid an immune overload are unfounded".