Parents refusing MMR jabs face ban

Daily Express July 2, 2002

PARENTS who refuse to have their children injected with the controversial measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine could be removed from GP lists, it emerged last night.

The moves are due be discussed at the British Medical Association’s annual conference tomorrow.

A motion at the conference in Harrogate demands that: "General Practitioners should be free to remove patients from their lists if they decline advice regarding their MMR vaccinations."

Another motion calls for the jab to be made "compulsory for all."

If the motions are passed and become official BMA policy, the association will lobby the Government to change the law.

The proposals come after a dramatic increase in the number of children with measles as parents turn their backs on the triple jab because of fears over links with autism and bowel disease.

Concern first emerged four years ago when Dr Andrew Wakefield diagnosed an inflammatory bowel disease in autistic children. U.S. studies last week appeared to back his findings.

Jackie Fletcher, of JABS, which has led the campaign questioning the safety of MMR, said last night: "This is incredibly worrying."

A BMA spokeswoman said: "The motions are low down on the list."