§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received any reports of damage, either temporary or permanent, to children receiving the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine.
§ Mr. FreemanA total of 555 yellow card reports of suspected adverse reactions, both serious and non-serious, to measles, mumps and rubella vaccination (MMR) have been received since its introduction in October 1988. More than 2.5 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed.
Monitoring of the safety of all vaccines by the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control, public health laboratories communicable disease surveillance centre, the Department and the manufacturers continues.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that parents who do not wish to have their children vaccinated are not subject to undue pressure from general practitioners.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have no plans to issue specific guidance in this respect. It is for GPs—who are professionally trained in this matter—to discuss vaccination with parents. All parents have the right to refuse vaccination for their children but we hope that they will not do so.