| A syringe of measles
vaccination is drawn, demand for which, along with single
doses against mumps and rubella, prompted a company to set
up clinic in a hotel. |
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Parents tell why they fear MMR
jab
JIM MCBETH
MATT Walton, his wife Allison, and their son
Callum travelled only 30 miles from Hamilton to a hotel conference
suite in Renfrewshire. The journey took an hour, not long enough
for a 15-month-old child to become fractious.
A journey to Holland or Italy, where the Lanarkshire couple have
relatives, would have been problematic.
But concern for the health of their son is compelling, and they
would have gone abroad rather than allow Callum to be given the
controversial MMR triple vaccine jab for measles, mumps and
rubella.
They did not have to. A commercial expedient, driven by parental
worry, persuaded a London-based health-care company to come to
Scotland for the first time yesterday, to set up a "clinic" in the
Renfrew hotel.
Dozens of parents from as far afield as Northern Ireland got what
they wanted - the choice to have their children protected by three
separate jabs administered at intervals of six weeks over the
coming months.
Controversy has raged over MMR immunisation since research,
particularly from the US, suggested a possible link to conditions
such as autism and bowel disorders.
Some parents have claimed the health of their children has been
wrecked as a result of MMR, but under NHS rules GPs have no
discretion - MMR or nothing.
But there are signs that the government is winning the battle for
hearts and minds. Latest figures for the uptake of MMR showed 88.6
per cent of children have been immunised.
Figures for the three months to June revealed the highest uptake
this year, the second time it has shown an increase.
In the first three months of the year, 87.6 per cent were
inoculated compared with 86.6 per cent in December, but
vaccination rates remain below the recommended 95 per cent and
fall short of the 93.1 per cent MMR uptake reached in 2000 before
the controversy began.
Medical experts, and politicians, have claimed loudly that the
vaccine is safe.
Thousands of parents around the UK do not believe them and have
flocked to private clinics, where they spend up to £320 for their
children to have three separate jabs.
The Waltons from Hamilton and others - the Ross family from Wishaw,
Lanarkshire, and the Palmer family from Muirhead, Glasgow - were
among those in Renfrew attending the first clinic set up by Direct
Remedies. It is run by a consultant paediatrician, Dr Damitha
Ratnasinghe.
The families were willing to pay for the jabs for two reasons;
peace of mind and a lack of trust in experts and politicians, in
particular the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
Mr Walton, Jimmy Ross, 33, and Margaret Palmer, 35, agreed Mr
Blair was the primary reason for going private.
Mr Walton said: "Blair would not reveal if his son Leo had been
given MMR. I could no longer trust him or his experts. I am not
prepared to take chances."
But according to the experts, there is no element of chance.
John Garner, the chairman of the British Medical Association’s
Scottish council, said: "The BMA - at this time - believes the
triple vaccine of MMR is the safest way to protect children from
measles, mumps and rubella.
"These diseases have serious consequences, including viral
meningitis and brain damage in children caused by mumps, and a
risk to pregnant mothers presented by rubella.
"To date, there has been no conclusive research establishing a
link between autism and the vaccine.
"In fact, having a single dose results in more trauma for the
child and because there must be a certain period between vaccines,
children remain unprotected for extended periods and raise the
likelihood of epidemics.
Dr Mac Armstrong, Scotland’s chief medical officer, agreed. He
said: "The overwhelming evidence is that MMR has an excellent
safety record and remains the safest way to protect children."
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow said: "We cannot stop firms
like this from operating, but we’re convinced the triple MMR
vaccine remains the safest option."
The medics offer powerful support for MMR, but parents remain
unconvinced and point to the fact that, in August, the government
commissioned a £300,000 study into the possible health risks.
Mr Walton added: "I think they are prepared to take casualties on
this rather than back down.
"Research indicates a health risk, and the government admits it
hasn’t carried out the US tests. But it says MMR is safe. How can
they be certain?
"I was prepared to go anywhere, where we had choice."
Mr Ross, an engineering manager, added: "I’m here because of
Blair, my fears and research by my wife Gillian on behalf of our
son Davie. He’s one, and his health is too precious to take
chances.
"I believe the experts are wrong, and that the single jab is
better for the government because of time and money."
Mrs Palmer, a local government officer, was in Renfrew with her
daughter Kirstie, 14 months. She said: "Basically, I know the
parents of an autistic child and they believe it was caused by
MMR. I didn’t want to take the chance."
Yohanni De Silva, the service manager for Direct Remedies, said:
"We are not saying MMR is better or worse, but we offer choice,
because there is no doubt the issue scares people. We have been
turning parents away, rescheduling them in January.
"Such is the demand that we are looking for other venues in
Glasgow.
"This is not just about wealthy parents; they are from every walk
of life.
"It has snowballed from a few people seeking choice to thousands
around the country."
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