MMR study find no links to autism

A study into the mumps, measles and rubella vaccination has found no link with autism.

Fears were raised by a small study published in 1998 which sparked a major health scare and a drop in uptake of the combined jab.

Lead author Dr Andrew Wakefield is currently appearing before the General Medical Council on charges relating to the claims.

The latest research involved a sample of almost 250 children aged between ten and 12, born between July 1990 and December 1991 in the South Thames area of England.

The experts noted that two previous studies have reported raised concentrations of measles antibodies in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but the latest study found no such links.

Dr David Brown, from the HPA who worked on the research, said: "The study found no evidence linking MMR to autistic spectrum disorder and the paper adds to the overwhelming body of evidence from around the world supporting the use of MMR.

"Public confidence in the MMR vaccine continues to remain high as the uptake for those receiving their first dose has stayed stable.

"However, it is also important to remember that children should complete their full course of MMR vaccine or optimum protection."

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, said: "It's natural for parents to worry about the health and well-being of their children and I hope that this study will reassure them that there is no evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism."

Other studies have found that rate of autism in children who have never had the MMR vaccine is the same as those who have.

In August last year, the HPA urged parents to give their child MMR after cases of measles trebled in just 11 weeks.

Uptake of the first dose of MMR is traditionally high, with uptake of the second dose lower.

Babies are given the first dose of MMR when they are around 13 months old and the second jab between the ages of three-years-four-months and five.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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