Walsall parents urged to get their children vaccinated against mumps, measles and rubella (MMR)

In light of the recent retraction of a research paper linking autism to MMR, health chiefs at NHS Walsall urge all parents whose children are aged approximately 13 months and between three years four months and five years, and have not yet been immunised to make an appointment with their GP to get their children vaccinated.

Professor Sam Ramaiah, Director of Public Health for Walsall, said: ‘There has been much controversy over the MMR vaccination and its links to autism which has understandably led some parents to be reluctant to have their children immunised.  This research has now been proven to be false and I would like to reassure parents who haven’t already done so that it’s not too late to get your child vaccinated.’

Recently published immunisation figures for 151 PCT’s in England show that for the year 2008-2009 Walsall's performance is consistently good. For children aged two we had the fifth highest rate (over 98%) for completed primary immunisations in England. That is the third highest after Heart of Birmingham and North Staffs in the West Midlands. For children aged five we had the highest rate in England (over 98%) for completed preschool boosters. We were 3rd for the rate of second MMR jabs given at over 91% and 5th at just under 94% for completed first MMRs.

Two doses of MMR are recommended to ensure a child is fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella. The first given at around 13 months and the second dose of MMR given between 3 years and four months and five years. It is advisable for a child to have a second MMR because 5-10% of children receiving the first dose may not make protection to all three components of the vaccine. Even if children have responded to the vaccine the first time, there will be no problem from being exposed to the viruses again. It is like anyone of us who is immune meeting someone with the disease – the infection can’t get established. If the child did not respond first time, they remain susceptible to natural infection, and need the second dose.