For a discussion of this partially Merck funded study, please click here.)

 

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News

Large study confirms that MMR vaccine safe

January 12, 2001

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The largest study conducted to date has found that the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and is not linked with a higher risk of autism or bowel disease. The findings may allay the fears of many parents who have been afraid to vaccinate their children due to hypothetical and controversial risks.

The study includes data from Finland, which launched a nationwide MMR vaccination program in 1982. Between that year and 1996, 1.8 million people were given 3 million doses of the vaccine.

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In that time, there were 173 serious reactions to the vaccine, including 1 death. The most common serous side effect was fever-related-seizures. No cases of inflammatory bowel disease or autism were detected during the study.

Dr. Annamari Patja, of Helsinki University, and colleagues conclude that about 45% of the side effects were probably caused by some other factor not related to vaccination. Overall, they say that there are 3.2 side effects per every 100,000 doses of the vaccine. The study, which was funded by MMR-manufacturer Merck pharmaceutical company, is published in the December issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

The findings may reassure not only parents, but health care workers as well. A recent survey of doctors in the UK shows that they often harbor reservations about giving a second dose of the MMR vaccine, even though children need the booster in order to fight off the measles.

In the January 13th issue of The Lancet, researchers report that nearly half of health professionals surveyed said they had reservations about giving children a second MMR shot. In order to be effective, the vaccine must be given when children are between 12 and 15 months of age, and again between the ages of 4 and 6 years. However, in 1988, children in the UK began receiving only one dose.

Following measles outbreaks in 1993, routine use of the second MMR shot was introduced in 1996, Dr. Marko Petrovic of the North Wales Health Authority in Flintshire, UK, told Reuters Health.

Petrovic's team surveyed about 500 doctors and nurses in North Wales. Besides expressing their unease about giving the second MMR, many would not "unequivocally" recommend the second dose to a "wavering" parent. In addition, a survey of one group of nurses found that 27% believe there is a link between the vaccine and autism, and 33% believe there is a link to Crohn's disease, a condition characterized by diarrhea, cramps and weight loss due to scarring and destruction of intestinal tissue.

These findings, according to Petrovic, do not indicate whether children are not getting the necessary vaccines. He said it is possible that a health professional with reservations about the second dose "may, albeit subconsciously, negatively influence a wavering parent."

Educating health professionals on the MMR vaccine "is a matter of urgency if measles epidemics are to be prevented," Petrovic said.

On Friday, the UK's Committee on Safety of Medicines issued a statement after an extensive review of data.

"MMR vaccine is very safe. There is no question mark whatever over its licensing," said Professor Alasdair Breckenridge, the chairman of the committee. A second UK group, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, came to the same conclusion."

"MMR remains the safest way to protect out children," according to Professor Liam Donaldson, the chief Medical Officer.

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.