 The history of the MMR vaccine
1988 The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) triple vaccine is introduced in the UK, a year after
Britain had a measles outbreak which killed 17
children.
The vaccine reduces the risk of devastating rubella damage to unborn babies, caused when pregnant women
caught the disease from their own or friends' children. Introducing
the triple vaccine virtually eradicates measles and mumps in the UK.
1994 A group of researchers, led by Dr Andrew Wakefield of the Royal Free Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group
(RFH-IBDSG), suggest that the measles vaccine may be linked to Crohn's Disease,
an inflammatory and incurable condition which affects the lower bowel.
However, the methodology of the research is widely criticised, and a number of
further studies fail to show a link.
1998 Dr Wakefield and his team hit the headlines again with a new study that suggests a link between MMR and a form of autism associated with bowel disease. The research features 12 children,
eight of whom it is claimed developed the condition very shortly after having their MMR vaccines, although the researchers do not themselves claim to have proved a link.
A meeting of over 30 experts convened by the Medical Research Council (MRC) concludes that the evidence does not support a causal link between MMR, autism and bowel disease.
1999 Following a rise in parental demand for single dose vaccines, sparked by the media coverage and a decline in vaccination take-up, the
government bans the only alternative to MMR. The Medicines Control Agency outlaws importation of the older, unlicensed single dose measles and mumps vaccine on 'safety grounds'.
Parents support group JABS (Justice, Awareness and Basic Support) is formed to press for parents' freedom to choose. The group currently has 1,800 children registered whose families believe they have been severely affected by childhood vaccines. About two-thirds of the families report a history of allergies, which leads
JABS supporters to suspect that children with inherited sensitive immune systems may not cope as well with a vaccine virus.
1999-2000 Numerous studies worldwide fail to establish a link between MMR and autism, including one commissioned by the Department of Health to examine the concerns raised about MMR and autism. Researchers examined the medical records of 498 children with autistic spectrum disorders in the North Thames Health Authority region. While finding clear evidence that the prevalence of autism has increased since the introduction of MMR in 1988, they also noted that other countries, who don't use MMR, have also experienced similar increases.
2000 The families of over 1,000 children who claim they were affected by the MMR vaccine have their cases taken up by Alexander Harris solicitors. To date, the firm now has details of over
3,000 children whose parents are convinced the vaccine has caused autism and bowel disorder in their previously normal, healthy children.
2001 Dr Wakefield publishes a new paper suggesting that early trials of MMR vaccines had pointed to bowel
problems and that researchers had failed to pick them up. A systematic review of this finds serious errors in the Wakefield paper.
Dr Mansfield, who runs private practices in Lincolnshire and
Worcester, offers single jabs to concerned parents who are worried
about the triple vaccine, despite government warnings that the single vaccination is
less effective. Read the news about the single
vaccine controversy here. Plus check the latest report on the safety
of the MMR triple vaccine.
Further studies, plus re-evaluations of the existing research, all conclude there is
no causal link between MMR and autism, although several confirm the increasing occurrence of autism as a subject needing further research. Vaccination coverage levels continue to fall.
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