One of the scares last year was about the MMR vaccine which is given to all babies in the first and fifth years of life. The (unpublished) study which spawned this story was supposed to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism and Crohns disease. The studies have now been analysed by the department of health and have been scrutinised by medical experts.
The suggestion that the vaccine could cause autism has been dismissed - there is simply no evidence to support this at all. Autism classically develops at the age when the MMR vaccine is given so this is why the link was first thought of, however there are no more cases in those vaccinated than those unvaccinated.
The possible link between MMR and Crohn's disease is still being looked at however the evidence for this is looking very thin at the moment.
Vaccinating children seperately against these three vaccines, besides involving several more vaccinations than necessary, puts children at risk from the diseases as the seperate vaccines have been shown not to be as effective as MMR.
If you have any concerns regarding the vaccination programme, please speak to the health visitor or doctor.
Measles can cause blindness, brain damage, meningitis, deafness, growth retardation and death.
Rubella can cause birth defects and miscarriages in unvaccinated mothers
Mumps can cause infertility, meningitis and deafness.