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Parental demand for single measles, mumps and rubella vaccines has prompted a private health clinic to open up an outreach centre in Cornwall.

Direct Health 2000 is organising "outreach vaccination" clinics on Saturday and Sunday in Truro amid concerns that the triple MMR jab is linked to autism and bowel disease.

Direct Health says it has already organised outreach clinics in Bristol, Swansea, Darlington and Dorset.

The clinic's call centre has received hundreds of calls in the past couple of months from worried parents wanting the single vaccine choice. The jabs cost £240 for the full course of three.

Almost half of the children are between the ages of two and four.

Spokeswoman Kathryn Durnford said: "This suggests to us that there are a lot of unprotected children of pre-school age who are at a higher risk from catching measles and mumps.

"Also, the failure of Leo Blair's parents to be open about their son's vaccination has made matters worse."

Earlier this year, the Government stepped up its publicity blitz to convince parents the vaccine is safe and the Prime Minister has battled to quell escalating parental fears that the triple jab can cause autism and bowel disease.

But the latest figures show UK-wide take-up of the jab hit a record low between July and September 2001 with a coverage rate of 84.2% compared with the Government's target of 95%.

Appointments are being held at The Three Bridges School, Blackwater.

Story filed: 04:03 Saturday 6th April 2002

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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.