The Pros And Cons Of The MMR Vaccines
The MMR vaccine was introduced in October 1988 to provide a one-shot immunisation against three diseases - measles, mumps and rubella.
Since its widespread introduction, recommended by the World Health Organisation, rates of these diseases have fallen close to zero in immunised western populations.
FOR
Two doses of MMR gives 99 per cent protection against measles - the most serious of the diseases immunised against.
Most doctors believe giving the three vaccines at once is a good idea.
If given one at a time (three single vaccines followed by a booster for each), they have to be carefully spaced out.
The fear is that many parents would fail to complete the course. Children could also be vulnerable to infection between inoculations. …show more content…
It concluded there was no link. Another study commissioned by the Department of Health and published in January this year also gave MMR the all-clear.
The scientific establishment remains convinced that MMR is the safest option. Professor Peter Lachman, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: 'Even if there are dangers, all the evidence suggests that the chances of something nasty happening to you as a result of not getting vaccinated are around 100 times greater than something nasty happening to you if you do.'
AGAINST
Parents first voiced concerns over links between MMR and autism and the bowel condition Crohn's disease in the mid-1990s.
There were several cases of healthy children developing these conditions after being given the vaccine.
Increasing numbers of parents decided not to have their children vaccinated with the triple vaccine. They were supported by a handful of doctors happy to administer the vaccines in single doses.
Dr Andrew Wakefield, a consultant gastroenterologist, drew national attention to a possible link between the illnesses and the MMR method of vaccination in a study in
Since its widespread introduction, recommended by the World Health Organisation, rates of these diseases have fallen close to zero in immunised western populations.
FOR
Two doses of MMR gives 99 per cent protection against measles - the most serious of the diseases immunised against.
Most doctors believe giving the three vaccines at once is a good idea.
If given one at a time (three single vaccines followed by a booster for each), they have to be carefully spaced out.
The fear is that many parents would fail to complete the course. Children could also be vulnerable to infection between inoculations. …show more content…
It concluded there was no link. Another study commissioned by the Department of Health and published in January this year also gave MMR the all-clear.
The scientific establishment remains convinced that MMR is the safest option. Professor Peter Lachman, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: 'Even if there are dangers, all the evidence suggests that the chances of something nasty happening to you as a result of not getting vaccinated are around 100 times greater than something nasty happening to you if you do.'
AGAINST
Parents first voiced concerns over links between MMR and autism and the bowel condition Crohn's disease in the mid-1990s.
There were several cases of healthy children developing these conditions after being given the vaccine.
Increasing numbers of parents decided not to have their children vaccinated with the triple vaccine. They were supported by a handful of doctors happy to administer the vaccines in single doses.
Dr Andrew Wakefield, a consultant gastroenterologist, drew national attention to a possible link between the illnesses and the MMR method of vaccination in a study in