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Ananova:

The mother of a girl ordered by a judge to have the combined MMR jab is set to launch a legal bid to block the move.

The four-year-old is one of two girls ordered to have measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jabs after a controversial High Court ruling on Friday.

Her mother is now seeking legal advice to stop the jab being given, according to a family friend.

Some parents fear the MMR vaccine could be linked to autism even though doctors and most experts say there is no evidence of a link.

Nick Skeens, a family friend helping the mother, said: "We want to speak to the solicitor as soon as possible. The judgment came through without us being informed. It took us all a bit by surprise. We have been trying to contact the solicitor all weekend without success but hope to make contact on Monday."

The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said another freedom had been "eroded" after Mr Justice Sumner decided to go against her and another mother's wishes.

In a statement the mother of the four-year-old said: "It's outrageous that, in a free society, a judge could make such a decision."

During the High Court hearing, Mr Justice Sumner ruled on two separate cases heard in private in which the fathers wanted immunisation for their daughters.

But the girls, aged four and 10, lived with their mothers who felt the combined vaccinations involved unacceptable risks and, if imposed, would cause them great distress.

Mr Justice Sumner said the benefits of having the MMR jab outweighed any risks.

Story filed: 07:24 Monday 16th June 2003

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