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Child deaths warning over 'groundless' MMR fears

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Published Date: 27 June 2006
LEADING health experts warn today that "more unnecessary deaths" would occur because of unfounded fears that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism.
In an open letter, 28 UK paediatricians and vaccination experts, including Neil McIntosh, professor of child life and health at Edinburgh University, say the UK faces a "potentially serious situation" which would lead to outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella without urgent action to boost vaccination rates.

They call for a line to be drawn under the question of "any association between MMR and autism" in the light of "overwhelming" evidence that the vaccine was safe.

"Years of low uptake mean large numbers of unprotected children are now entering school. Unless this is rectified urgently, and children are immunised, there will be further outbreaks and we will see more unnecessary deaths," the letter says.

"It is not too late to avert this predictable tragedy. It is time that due weight is given to the overwhelming body of scientific evidence in favour of the vaccine."



The full article contains 186 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 26 June 2006 8:49 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: MMR vaccine
 
1

Gene Bensinger,

Chicago, Illinois USA 27/06/2006 00:00:00

I think that, whether you are a Scot or Midwesterner in the United States like I am, it's important to approach public health problems from a rational perspective. My 13 year old son has autism and, like many other parents in the same position, I'm not anti-vaccine, even though I think that vaccine insult may have triggered his regressive autism. I continue to be dismayed though when I encounter public health officials and vaccine industry P.R. types who to paint the parents who want answers as an irrational, dangerous bunch. We're not. Vaccines save many, many lives, especially in the third world. Let's keep in mind though that they are a tool and not a panacea. Like antibiotics, they are a tool that can be overused and abused.

It is a fact, according to our Center For Disease Control (CDC) here in the U.S., that the rate of autism exploded in the early 1990's. This jump coincided with an aggressive change in the child vaccination schedule here (earlier, and multiple, jabs). I continue to ask the question, "Is it possible that a significant number of infant immune systems are unable to safely process the designed insult? Might an unintended reaction like brain inflammation occur instead?" I'm not a scientist, but I would like very comprehensive reseach to be done straight away. I also think that it's a prudent move to return to the traditional (pre-1990's single jab) immunization schedule until independent researchers find the evidence, whatever the outcome. Mercury, MMR, DPT, I don't know. What I do know is that public health professionals ought to be intellectually curious and remind themselves, "First, do no harm." Too much of a good thing (perhaps way too much, too early) might be the cause of this epidemic. Let's all keep open minds and consider all possibilities.

2

Charles Linskaill,

edinburgh 27/06/2006 00:00:00

"Absolute Nonsesne" are the health ministers Soooooooo "thick" to "blab" on and on about a problem that will occur,instead off trying to revert it!
"BRING BACK A CHOICE FOR PARENTS" seperate jabs! when i had our 2girls this was "NEVER HEARD OFF" and guess what? we had the choice!
I mean who can remember "yes again" the health minister who was on tv with his poor child and said,"watch my child eating beefburgers" no way will mad cow disease be passed to humans! yeh health ministers we believe you "NOT"
No wonder the NHS is so messed up when a problem like this could be settled over night!
Yes do an impartial investigation,but in the mean time "BRING BACK THE CHOICE"(very angry)

3

Manuel,

27/06/2006 00:00:00

Our children are not guinea pigs! It is time we had an impartial investigation thus allowing us to make an informed choice..please read on.
Sunday Telegraph

US scientists back autism link to MMR

By Beezy Marsh and Sally Beck
(Filed: 28/05/2006)


The measles virus has been found in the guts of children with a form
of autism, renewing fears over the safety of the MMR jab.

American researchers have revealed that 85 per cent of samples taken
from autistic children with bowel disorders contain the virus. The
strain is the same as the one used in the measles, mumps and rubella
triple vaccine.

The findings will spark fresh concern about MMR, because they back
theories of a causal link between the jab, autism and painful gut
disorders suffered by a number of autistic children.

The study replicates findings made by the gastroenterologist Dr Andrew
Wakefield in 1998 and Prof John O'Leary, a pathologist, in 2002.

Parents say their children were developing normally until they had the
MMR jab, given when a child is between 12- and 18-months-old. The
children now suffer from regressive autism.

One theory is that the virus passes through the gut, causing damage,
and into the bloodstream, from where it is able to attack the brain.

More than 2,000 families claim that their children have suffered
damage but the Department of Health reiterated last night that MMR is
safe, a stance supported by the British Medical Association and all
the Royal Colleges. Last year Government scientists failed to
reproduce research results by Dr Wakefield.

Research to be presented this week in Montreal, Canada, provides fresh
evidence that the measles virus is present in the guts of autistic
children. Dr Stephen Walker, of the Wake Forest University School of
Medicine, North Carolina, studied children with regressive autism and
bowel dis

4

Manuel,

01/07/2006 00:00:00

Please take the time to read: Interview with ex-vaccine researcher at http://www.jabs.org.uk/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=5


 

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