The arguments for and against the MMR vaccine continue unabated. As far as doctors are concerned it's safe. But many parents are not convinced. I'd like to make two observations.
1. You can never say something is 'safe'. All you can say is that it has not been proved to be unsafe. I remember reading that when x-ray machines were a new invention they actually had them in shoe shops so you could x-ray your children's feet to see how well their shoes fitted. You see, x-rays were safe - until it was found out they weren't. Then there was DDT (for the intellectual among you, that stands for DichloroDiphenylTrichloroethane). It was hailed as a wonder insecticide after the war. Until it was found to have serious health and environmental impacts.
As far as MMR is concerned, it has not been proved to be unsafe. But doing that is not easy. So read with scepticism anything that purports to be 'safe'. Just remember it's not been proven unsafe and use your own judgement. Oh, and by the way, you may like to talk to a parent who, to all intents and purposes had a healthy baby before its MMR jab, and then its health went downhill after that. Ask them what they think of the 'safe' claim.
2. Let's forget science for a moment and use a little common sense. What are you doing when you administer the MMR vaccine? You are giving a one year old child a weakened dose of three serious diseases in one go! I just ask the question, "Does that make sense?" I must say it doesn't to me, but you must make up your own mind.
Finally, of course, it would solve the problem by giving children the three vaccinations separately. Ah, of course, I forgot! That would cost more money and so is not available on the NHS.
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