MMR safety is not a case of medical 'spin'

NEW reassurances over the safety of the MMR vaccine should help stop the decline in its use in Guernsey. The combined measles, mumps and rubella jab had been linked with autism after research by Dr Simon Murch, of the centre for paediatric gastroenterology at London's Royal Free Hospital. Local health authorities were concerned about a decline in the take-up of the triple vaccine. But Dr Murch announced yesterday that there was unequivocal evidence that MMR was not a risk factor for autism. 'No other vaccine has ever been studied in such depth and the evidence for its overall safety is comprehensive,' said Dr Murch. The news was not a surprise to Dr Brian Parkin, vice-president of the local branch of British Medical Association and the island's deputy medical officer of health. 'If it helps reassure anyone who was worried about MMR, then its understandably welcome. The scientific evidence is quite clear on the safety of MMR and any links with autism,' he said. The uptake of the vaccine in Guernsey has been declining since its initial introduction. But the fall in the number of parents choosing the triple vaccine has been less severe than in some areas of the UK. There should be around 95% coverage for the maximum protection of children. 'It's between 80% and 90%,' said Dr Parkin. 'This is not at a critical level but it is certainly below ideal.' A severe outbreak of measles in Dublin last year led to a couple of deaths. 'We are worried if the level of vaccination in the population declines. Once below a critical level, the population can have a severe outbreak,' said Dr Parkin. 'We have consistently said that all the evidence supports the safety of MMR. Obviously we encourage everybody to have their children vaccinated with MMR.' Dr Murch added that MMR immunisation should be an easy decision for parents, but had become a worrying issue for many. 'Although this situation reflects, in part, a broader mistrust of official pronouncements and has been fuelled by media campaigning, it is founded on the misinformed perception that there is ongoing scientific uncertainty. 'There is now unequivocal evidence that MMR is not a risk factor for autism - this statement is not spin or medical conspiracy, but reflects an unprecedented volume of medical study on a worldwide basis. 'An unprotected child is not only at personal danger, but represents a potential hazard to others, including unborn children.' He has warned that unless vaccine uptake increases, major measles epidemics are likely in the UK this winter.