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Source: http://www.birminghammail.net/news/...e-blamed-for-measles-outbreak-97319-21216768/
Shunning of MMR vaccine blamed for measles outbreak
Jul 2 2008 By Emma Cullwick
PARENTS were today being urged to have their children immunised against potentially life-threatening illnesses after two pupils at a Birmingham primary school were diagnosed with measles.
It is feared the children, both pupils at Kings Heath Primary School, contracted the highly infectious condition because they had not been given the controversial combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine when they were babies as their parents feared it could lead to them being autistic.
The link between MMR and autism was first raised in a study by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998. But no research has ever proved a definite link.
Dr Chris Spencer Jones, director of public health at South Birmingham Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: ?Publicity around the alleged link between the MMR vaccine and autism led many parents not to have their children immunised and these children are now vulnerable.
?These two cases of measles are a reminder of the consequences of insufficient people taking up immunisation. Measles is a highly infectious disease that is entirely preventable when children are immunised.?
He said measles can lead to serious complications including chest infections, fits, swelling of the brain and brain damage.
?Two doses of the MMR vaccine is needed to prevent measles and also protects against mumps and rubella, two other potentially fatal childhood conditions,? he added.
?I urge parents to put their children forward for immunisation now to avoid what could be a distressing infection. The combined MMR vaccine is the safest way of protecting children from measles.?
Shirley Hanson, head teacher at the school, said: ?We have followed the advice of West Midlands (East) Health Protection Unit and the trust and have contacted the parents of all the children, advising them to have their youngsters fully immunised with MMR.?
Today, a Birmingham health visitor, who refused to be named, said she feared the two cases of measles were the ?tip of the iceberg? and could see the start of a major outbreak among children who were not given the MMR jab as babies.
?The situation is particularly bad in parts of south Birmingham, where the MMR uptake is as low as 30 per cent in some places,? she said. ?In order to prevent a major outbreak, 95 per cent of children must have the vaccine.
?It?s extremely worrying that now, ten years after Dr Wakefield?s study sparked panic amongst parents, we are seeing children growing up and contracting infectious diseases.?
Shunning of MMR vaccine blamed for measles outbreak
Jul 2 2008 By Emma Cullwick
PARENTS were today being urged to have their children immunised against potentially life-threatening illnesses after two pupils at a Birmingham primary school were diagnosed with measles.
It is feared the children, both pupils at Kings Heath Primary School, contracted the highly infectious condition because they had not been given the controversial combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine when they were babies as their parents feared it could lead to them being autistic.
The link between MMR and autism was first raised in a study by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998. But no research has ever proved a definite link.
Dr Chris Spencer Jones, director of public health at South Birmingham Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: ?Publicity around the alleged link between the MMR vaccine and autism led many parents not to have their children immunised and these children are now vulnerable.
?These two cases of measles are a reminder of the consequences of insufficient people taking up immunisation. Measles is a highly infectious disease that is entirely preventable when children are immunised.?
He said measles can lead to serious complications including chest infections, fits, swelling of the brain and brain damage.
?Two doses of the MMR vaccine is needed to prevent measles and also protects against mumps and rubella, two other potentially fatal childhood conditions,? he added.
?I urge parents to put their children forward for immunisation now to avoid what could be a distressing infection. The combined MMR vaccine is the safest way of protecting children from measles.?
Shirley Hanson, head teacher at the school, said: ?We have followed the advice of West Midlands (East) Health Protection Unit and the trust and have contacted the parents of all the children, advising them to have their youngsters fully immunised with MMR.?
Today, a Birmingham health visitor, who refused to be named, said she feared the two cases of measles were the ?tip of the iceberg? and could see the start of a major outbreak among children who were not given the MMR jab as babies.
?The situation is particularly bad in parts of south Birmingham, where the MMR uptake is as low as 30 per cent in some places,? she said. ?In order to prevent a major outbreak, 95 per cent of children must have the vaccine.
?It?s extremely worrying that now, ten years after Dr Wakefield?s study sparked panic amongst parents, we are seeing children growing up and contracting infectious diseases.?