ARTICLES>> Is The MMR Vaccine Safe?

The MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine, which protects against Mumps, Measles and Rubella (German Measles) was introduced in 1989 and has virtually eliminated these diseases in Gibraltar. Forty years ago, in 1964, there were 517 cases of Measles, 126 cases of Mumps and 130 cases of Rubella. In the last few years, we have on average fewer than ten cases of all three diseases put together.
The controversy

In 1998, a small group of researchers led by a Dr. Wakefield published an article claiming that the MMR vaccine was linked with autism and enterocolitis, two uncommon diseases. The research was not properly validated, but the theory was widely published. Huge numbers of national studies have since then been carried out across the world, making the MMR vaccine the most researched vaccine in history. Not one of the studies has found against the vaccine.

In December 2001, the Medical Research Council published a report showing that autism was far more widespread than previously thought and that it was often missed. Although they also said clearly in this report that the MMR vaccine was not linked, speculative reporting by the media resulted in fresh controversy. Soon after this the BBC Panorama programme ran a broadcast that sensationally publicised Dr. Wakefield's theories without any attempt at balancing the science. This has caused enormous public anxiety and damaged the MMR programme.

The three-vaccine theory
A large part of the current controversy comes from Dr. Wakefield's stated belief that giving the three separate vaccines would not cause the autistic enterocolitis disorder. This idea has no scientific basis or supporting evidence. Dr. Wakefield himself does not offer any evidence to substantiate this theory.
Some people have wondered whether three vaccines can "overload" the system. This has been rejected by American research showing that up to 20 vaccines can be administered simultaneously without overload.

Giving the three vaccines separately is not supported by any responsible authority in the world, including the World Health Organisation. The MMR vaccine is used in 90 countries world-wide, including USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and throughout the European Union. Over 500 million doses have been given in these countries since the early 1970s. No country in the world recommends MMR in three separate injections to children.

In France - where measles is very common - doctors recommend a single dose of measles vaccine early if there is a risk of a measles outbreak, but always follow this up with a full course of MMR vaccines.

Japan, started with the MMR but had a problem with their locally manufactured mumps portion and so started to use single measles and rubella vaccines from then. Since 1993, Japan has suffered from a rise in measles and by 1997, there were 79 measles deaths in Japan. The mumps portion of our MMR vaccine does not have this problem.

Finland has become the first country in the world to eliminate measles, mumps and rubella, following the MMR programme from 1982. Finland also reports that despite intensive surveillance no persistent complications or deaths attributable to vaccination have been detected.

The three vaccine approach is actually harmful
Experts say that giving the three vaccines separately is a harmful strategy. It would expose children to an increased risk of disease while waiting for up to two years between immunisations, without any additional benefit. It is also possible that some children might miss out on some doses purely by neglect.

Safety fears have also been raised about the single vaccines on sale. For example, some mumps vaccines have caused meningitis and some are only 12 per cent effective. A product licence is only awarded to a product that has passed all safety tests and there is no UK licence for the use of any of the single vaccines. Some doctors use supplies from overseas at their own risk and usually charge very high fees to cover themselves. We cannot supply such products on the NHS.

Is measles really that bad?
It is true that many people have had mild attacks of measles, but many other people who had the serious attacks are not here to tell us about it. There are about 7,000 children in Gibraltar. If all of them had measles, 35 would have fits, about 20 would get meningitis and about 3 would die. If 7,000 children had the MMR vaccine about 5 would have mild side effects and nobody would die. Measles is a very nasty disease but nowadays quite rare and let us keep it that way.

Conclusion
The MMR vaccine is and remains "a highly effective vaccine with an outstanding safety record" (WHO). Giving three single vaccines confers no benefit and is actually harmful.