MMR 'scare stories' are not putting parents off

PARENTS in Guernsey are ignoring scare stories over the MMR vaccine. Disputed claims of a link between the combined jab and the development of autism and learning difficulties have not had a material effect in Guernsey.

'Take-up of the MMR vaccine might have dropped by a percentage point or two, but we know that it is still above 90%, which is what is needed to prevent an epidemic,' said director of public health Dr David Jeffs.

Campaigners against the joint measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in the UK have persuaded thousands of parents to seek single vaccines or leave their children without inoculation.

'In terms of reluctance to have the vaccine, we have not nearly been affected in the same way,' said Dr Jeffs.

Measles, mumps and rubella were once common diseases among young islanders. But only two cases were recorded here between 1997 and 2002.

Local experts warn that the diseases would make a comeback rapidly should a significant number of parents turn away from the joint vaccine.

'They would come back very, very quickly - within a couple of years,' said Dr Brian Parkin, of the local branch of the British Medical Association.

'We know that in areas where immunisation has dropped below 70 or even 80%, there have been quite bad outbreaks.

'It is quite clear that our good statistics on preventing outbreaks would change if there was a drop-off in the immunisation take-up.'

Dr Jeffs blamed the media for spreading unsubstantiated scare stories about the potential side-effects of the MMR jab.

'Our immunisation campaigns have been very successful. That is why it is so worrying when you see reports in the media calling that into question,' he said.

'It might sell your newspaper to claim that experts disagree about the safety of the vaccine.

'But the reality is that you have one or two people coming up with a fairly extreme view, whereas every other study claims that there is no truth in what they are saying.

'Given the reports in the media, it would not be surprising if parents anywhere, including here, were concerned.'

Dr Parkin said that people who believed there might be a link and did not immunise their children were directly responsible for outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella and, in some cases, for deaths from those diseases.

Dr Jeffs warned of the dangers of parents not getting their children immunised with the MMR vaccine.

'I know a lot of children who had measles when they were younger.

'Many recovered with no long-term problems, but a fair number did not.

'Some developed eye problems, deafness and other problems. It was not that long ago that we saw kids with measles and all the complications it can cause.'

Dr Parkin said that the current generation was lucky to have an effective vaccine.