A leading expert in child health urges the media to be more responsible when reporting on childhood immunisation.
The three-in-one MMR vaccine which protects children against measles, mumps and rubella has been the subject of controversy in recent years due to an alleged link with autism and bowel disease.
At an international conference held in Tallaght Hospital today, Professor Brent Taylor, a specialist in community child health at University College London Hospital, told medical colleagues that negative publicity surrounding this vaccine is unfounded.
MMR vaccine doesn't cause autism.
He was critical of sensationalist headlines and sections of the media that have been irresponsible in reporting recent scares around the MMR vaccine. He believes their focus should instead be on promotion and support of immunisation programmes which have been scientifically proven to be safe.
Professor Brent Taylor has been instrumental in developing an early warning system in the United Kingdom so that a child with a vaccine related illness can be treated immediately in hospital,
We can demonstrate safety of these vaccines within months.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 October 2003. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.
