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February 25, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“Experts Claim Children’s Lives at Risk as Measles Outbreak

Spreads”

Scotsman (www.scotsman.com) (02/22/02) P. 12; Foster, Kate

An outbreak of eight suspected cases of measles in Glasgow, Scotland, has researchers concerned that the disease is on the upswing.  Statistical data reported earlier in the week showed at least 13 confirmed cases of suspected measles in comparison to just three cases last week, and the year-to-date figure, at 35 suspected cases, already exceeds last year’s cases for the same time period.  At the same time, a new study concluded that many U.K. parents were not willing to accept assurances from government and medical experts regarding the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  In their report, Tom Horlick-Jones of Cardiff University and Andy Alaszewski of Kent University noted that “while the current government is committed, post-[bovine spongiform encephalopathy] to more openness, parents’ response to the MMR campaign suggest they are not convinced that any real change has taken place.”  Suspected cases of measles have also been reported in Lanarkshire, Forth Valley and Lothian.

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