§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the alleged association between the administration of MMR vaccine and inflammatory bowel disease. [56370]
§ Ms JowellThe effects of mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) immunisation have been carefully examined by two groups of independent experts: the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Committee on Safety of Medicines. In addition, following the publicity about possible adverse reactions to MMR, a group of 37 independent experts was convened by the Medical Research Council on 23 March under the chairmanship of Professor Sir John Pattison. The group examined published and unpublished research into a suggested association between MMR vaccine and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease) and autism. The independent experts concluded
The available virological and epidemiological evidence does not support a causal role for persistent measles virus infection in Crohn's disease.There is no evidence to indicate any link between MMR vaccination and bowel disease or autism.There is therefore no reason for a change in the current MMR vaccination policy.