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.

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

March 03, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"MMR Is Blamed as Measles Cases Soar"

London Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk) (02/28/03); Marsh, Beezy

In England, parental concern about the safety of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has caused MMR coverage rates to drop significantly and outbreaks to occur.  In South London, MMR vaccination rates have fallen below 75 percent, and nationwide the rate is just 83 percent.  According to the Public Health Laboratory Service, there were 310 cases of measles confirmed in 2002, compared with 62 cases in the previous year, and there were also over 3,000 suspected cases of measles reported. The British Department of Health asserts that the combined MMR shot is safe and the best means of preventing three very serious childhood diseases. South London pediatrician Dr. David Elliman predicted last week that "if the trend [against vaccination] continues, we will see more cases and, inevitably, we will see children dying of measles, as well as serious complications from the disease."

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.