A public health expert has warned that children without the MMR vaccine should not be allowed to attend school until they get it.
Sir Sandy Macara, former chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA), feels that the combined MMR jab – which prevents measles, mumps and rubella – should be mandatory now despite a long period of children not having the vaccine.
Statistics reveal that as few as one in four children under the age of five has actually received the suggested two doses of MMR, which is necessary to give maximum protection against the diseases.
Parents have been resistant to getting their children fully vaccinated following mass publicity of controversial research that incorrectly suggested the jab was responsible for causing health problems including autism.
Less children having the vaccine has led to an increase of measles with fears from health experts that an epidemic is imminent.
The controversial research has been disproven after millions of children have been studied to reveal no increased risk of autism after having the MMR jab.
Unfortunately Sir Sandy comments that parents are still no convinced the MMR jab is safe.
“The suggestion is that we ought to consider making a link which in effect would make it compulsory for children to be immunised if they are to receive the benefit of a free education from the state,” he said.
Although it may seem like a strong tactic to base school admission on vaccines, it does happen in other countries including the US, most of Australia, Spain and Greece.
However Sir Sandy thinks it’s time to re-iterate this in the UK and doctors will soon be hashing the issue out BMA’s annual conference in a few weeks.
Last year England and Wales recorded a total of 1,380 measle cases, with 382 more between January and March, according to the HPA.
The subject of compulsory vaccination was brought up by health officials last year but the Government confirmed a voluntary system would remain in place.
Professor David Salisbury, Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health said,“These reports do not reflect the current situation. MMR coverage is rising presently — by age three it has passed 90 per cent and we are seeing rises in all Strategic Health Authority areas for our catch-up programme for 5 to 18.
“We would not want to force parents to give their children the MMR vaccine.”
The doctor responsible for fear mongering over the MMR jab – Andrew Wakefield is facing the consequences as he goes before a long term hearing before the General Medical Council (GMC) for severe professional misconduct.
Dr Wakefield and Drs John Walker-Smith and Simon Murch all deny misconduct and delays to the hearing mean a conclusion is unlikely until 2010.
