This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
CMO issues renewed warning on MMR
12/03/2002
New figures, released today, show the rate of uptake of
the MMR vaccine is holding above 86%, with a marginal drop
compared to previous quarters.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Mac Armstrong commended parents
for deciding in favour of the combined MMR vaccine, but
repeated his warning that low rates of vaccination against
Measles, Mumps and Rubella could result in an outbreak of
these potentially fatal diseases.
Dr Armstrong said:
"Immunisation is so important for young children,
protecting them from serious infections with very low risks
from the vaccines. Mumps, Measles and Rubella are serious
illnesses which can cause deafness, blindness, and in some
cases, death. Prevention is always better than cure. For
many parents in the current climate, this is a courageous
decision and one which is good for their child and those
around them.
"The figures for the last quarter of 2001 show a small
decline in MMR uptake rates compared with previous
quarters.
"However, although there is no outbreak of measles,
mumps or rubella in Scotland at present, the threat remains
as long as children remain unvaccinated.
"This poses serious risks not only to the children
involved but also to other vulnerable groups. Groups such
as children being treated for leukaemia, who cannot be
immunised.
"That is why we are still encouraging all parents to
make sure their children are protected against these
diseases.
"We understand parents' need to be well informed about
issues concerning the health of their children. We have
already made information available to GPs to help them
offer advice to parents, and we are looking at how we can
provide more information about MMR to help parents make an
informed decision."
In response to the recommendations of the Health and
Community Care Committee's report on MMR, the Executive
established an expert group to consider the matters raised
by the HCCC relating to immunisation against measles, mumps
and rubella, with particular reference to:
- describing the consequences of pursuing an
alternative vaccination policy to MMR
- reviewing evidence on the apparent rise in the
incidence of autism
- describing the process of vaccine testing and the
monitoring of adverse effects
- in all its work, having regard to the role and
remit of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation, the Committee on Safety of Medicines and
the Medicines Control Agency
This group is not reviewing current immunisation/MMR
policy. It is expected to report back by the end of this
month and will be published shortly thereafter.