MMR could be compulsory 

 

Parents could soon be forced to immunise their children with the controversial MMR injection, even if they are opposed to it, as the country suffers an increasing shortage of the single-dose rubella vaccine.

GlaxoSmithKline, the UK's only supplier of the single vaccine against German measles is halting its production.

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There are continued worries over the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which has been linked to a rise in autism and inflammatory bowel disease in children.

These fears have led to parents increasingly opting for single vaccines.

The support group for vaccine-damaged children, Justice Awareness and Basic Support (JABS), believes that the shortage of the single-dose vaccine will increase the pressure on parents to use MMR.

Jackie Fletcher, a spokeswoman for the group, said doctors had informed them that stocks of the single rubella vaccine were limited.

"This can only be a cynical coercive attempt to undermine parental choice and force families down the single jab route," she said.

"Parents all over the UK are clamouring to vaccinate their children. Having the rubella jab on the NHS was a legitimate route where family doctors could give it first, then the other jabs."

"This closes off that avenue. It's going to make it more difficult for parents to protect their children. It seems to go against common sense," she added.

GlaxoSmithKline has claimed that the decision to stop production of the single vaccine was taken at a global level in April this year.

"Ninety countries worldwide are now using the MMR vaccine and the scientific community believe this is the right way to vaccinate," said a spokesman for the company.

"No country is recommending the use of single vaccines over MMR. There is a small amount of single vaccines in stock and theses are being made available to the NHS for non-immune women of child-bearing age."

"However, supplies will eventually dry up."

Meanwhile, one man is making legal history by taking his ex-wife to court for refusing to give their children the MMR vaccination.

The woman, thought to be a midwife, is declining to give her children the single, combined vaccination as she has doubts over its safety.

However, her ex-husband is demanding that the toddlers receive the injection.

The case is to be decided by a High Court judge.