MMR Vaccines
***Update 24th May 2010***
Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who first suggested a link between MMR vaccinations and autism has been struck off the medical register.
More information on the BBC News, MMR doctor struck off register.
Ahead of the GMC’s decision Dr Mike Fitzpatrick, GP and author of two books about autism, explained on the Today Programme how Andrew Wakefield has brought no further evidence to support the theory he’d put forward and how it has been discredited. He also challenged claims by Andrew Wakefield that the Government should have reintroduced the single vaccine and discussed the vulnerability of parents looking for answers. The interview with Dr Mike Fitzpatrick can be found here.
The main concern about the MMR vaccine is allegations of there being a connection with autism.
Sense is a charity which provides support to deaf-blind people, many of whom have been disabled by rubella. They have a good information resource on MMR research. Their policy briefing describes the history of the vaccine and the latest research on MMR. Read the briefing here:
In February 2008, the National Library for Health reviewed an evaluation of the evidence base for measles vaccination and antibody response in autism spectrum disorders:
The NHS also provides a factsheet about MMR:
Research Autism has a document on the myths around MMR: Research Autism: myths
Last updated: May 24 2010