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March 18, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Top Doc's Measles Warning"

Glasgow Evening Times (UK) (www.eveningtimes.co.uk) (03/16/02) P. 4; Mccann, John

In Scotland, health experts have warned that Glasgow will be hit very soon with its first outbreak of measles in more than five years.  According to the experts, an outbreak is very likely because only 85 percent of the city's young children are protected against the disease.  City health officials also called on doctors to reassure parents that vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the safest way to prevent a serious outbreak of measles.  Public health consultant Syed Ahmed said that many parents are worried about possible side effects of the MMR vaccine, but he noted that no link has been found between the vaccine and such conditions as autism or bowel disease. Ahmed added that recent evidence has shown that the MMR vaccine will not overload a baby's immune system.

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