Parents are sitting on a measles epidemic time bomb, warn scientists and leading medical doctors, as the UK faces the biggest outbreak of measles in 20 years. This is due to the low uptake of the single jab, measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles is dangerous because its highly contagious nature causes sufferers to be infectious for three days before the symptoms show.

African Caribbean children are experiencing high incidence of outbreaks of measles. And areas such as Dollis Hill, Harlesden, Kensal Green and Willesden Green are showing the highest reported number of measles cases for this totally preventable disease.

In a bid to allay parents’ worries over the safety of MMR, a study was commissioned into the side effects of the vaccine. The wholesale conclusion of the study commissioned by the Department of Health and published earlier this year refutes all links with MMR to autism and chromes disease. Health ministers have set up a £1.8 million immunisation fund to combat any possible measles epidemic, in a bid to protect vulnerable children from the disease.

Can you afford to ignore what Britain’s top medics have to say about MMR?

Professor, Sir David Hall, paediatrician said:
“The time has come to draw a line under the question of any association between the MMR vaccine and autism. The UK’s children are in danger of serious illness or death if they are left unimmunised.”

Dr. David Ellima, a consultant community pediatrician at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital said:
“A vast body of research now vindicates the MMR vaccine. Parents should be wary of simplistic headlines and information they read on the internet.”

Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer, speaking on the low uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella jab, in some areas of the country said:
“Many young parents have forgotten what it is like to see a child in intensive care unit with diseases like this.”

Professor Dr. David Sailsbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health said:
“The evidence on MMR is absolutely clear - there is no link between the vaccine and autism. One of the first patients I saw as a young doctor was a 12-year-old boy who had come into hospital to die because his brain had been so devastated by the long-term effects of measles.”

Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said:
“Measles is a horrible diseaseand the most contagious on the planet. It is vital that all parents have their children vaccinated as recommended by the Department of Health.”
“The RCGP is concerned that the number of notifications of measles infection is rising year on year. But the rate of immunisation of children and young adults against measles remains well below the standard of a least 95%, proposed by the World Health Organisation.”