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New research backs scrapping of single MMR
vaccine
http://www.sundayherald.com/10857
The British doctor who caused a bitter
scientific dispute when he first raised the alarm over a link between the
mumps, measles and rubella vaccine (MMR) and autism and bowel disease is
poised to publish further research backing up his original claims.
Dr Andrew Wakefield of the Royal Free Hospital in London called for the
vaccine to be given separately over two years ago following the publication
of his initial findings, suggesting a link, in The Lancet medical journal.
The gastroenterologist showed he had identified a new bowel disorder in
children associated with autistic symptoms of social withdrawal which
occurred soon after MMR vaccination.
Now Wakefield and his team of experts are understood to have
"convincing new evidence" of a link between autism and the MMR
vaccine.
A source close to Wakefield said: "We are getting close to the
threshold of new scientific evidence. The latest tests show that the
measles virus, alive in the body, is introduced by immunisation. The reason
this lingers is simply because the body cannot cope properly. Wakefield
will be able to make a more compelling case as a result of tests. These
have been done in greater detail than at any stage in the past."
News of Wakefield's breakthrough comes the week after the Sunday Herald
revealed that American scientist Dr Vijendra Singh told an international
conference that his laboratory tests showed the MMR jab causes autism.
Singh and Wakefield took different approaches to their research but arrived
at similar conclusions about how they believe the vaccine triggers an
adverse immune response which leads to bowel disease and autism.
Fears of a link have led to thousands of Scottish parents shunning the
triple vaccine, and warnings that this could lead to an epidemic of mumps,
measles or rubella.
This week a Scottish Health Board report will be published highlighting the
extent of the concern over the uptake, which "continues to be
disappointing".
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