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Independent Experts Say MMR Vaccine Is Safe
Thu Feb 14, 1:42 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - An independent scientific advisory committee that has reviewed the latest research on the MMR vaccine said on Thursday there is no evidence of a causal link between the controversial jab and autism or bowel disease.

The Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), which advises the government on medicines, said the vaccine is safe and effective in preventing measles, mumps and rubella and any adverse effects are far outweighed by its benefits.

"On reviewing the scientific research the CSM has concluded that the accumulating body of evidence in no way supports a causal link between MMR vaccination and autism or bowel disease," it said in a statement.

But parents of autistic children and some British doctors remained unconvinced despite reassurances and urged the government to make single vaccines more available. Dr. Richard Halveson, a family doctor who administers the single vaccine through the National Health Service, said it should be an option for all parents.

He told a news conference that many parents want to protect their children from the diseases but will not allow them to receive the MMR vaccination. The only other option is a single vaccine.

"It is ridiculous that the government is not allowing them to have this alternative," Halveson said.

Dr. Alain Sanouillier, a French doctor who has worked in Britain for four years, said he believes the MMR is safe but more research is needed. Unlike in Britain, French parents have the option of single or multiple vaccines, he added.

Fears that the triple vaccine can cause autism and bowel problems have led to a drop in the number of children being vaccinated and outbreaks of measles in various parts of the country.

The uptake of the triple jab has fallen from about 85% last summer to under 65% in some parts of Britain, sparking worries of a measles epidemic.

Demand for the single vaccination has increased but Britain's chief medical officer Professor Liam Donaldson has warned that abandoning the MMR could leave children vulnerable to all three illnesses.

Even Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites), who caused an uproar by refusing to reveal if his 20-month-old Leo received the MMR, has assured parents it is safe.

The CSM said the percentage of autistic children with regression and bowel problems remains the same whether they receive the MMR or not.

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.