Parents urged to vaccinate children from measles threat

Published on Thursday 7 August 2008 10:49

THE Government has launched a renewed campaign to ensure children up to the age of 18 receive the MMR jab.

The Department of Health is making extra doses of the vaccine available and pledging more cash to help NHS trusts vaccinate youngsters in their area.

Uptake rates of the jab vary across England but are particularly low in London.

Trusts in the capital will receive an extra 60,000 while those outside London will get 30,000.

In 1998, a study published in the respected medical journal The Lancet suggested a link between the jab, autism and bowel disease.

Lead author Dr Andrew Wakefield is currently appearing before the General Medical Council (GMC) on charges relating to the research.

Chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has written to all primary care trusts asking them to help cut the risk of a measles epidemic.

He wants parents to get unprotected children immunised.