Scotland's deputy chief medical officer has insisted that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) inoculation is "safe, effective and the best remedy available".
Dr Andrew Fraser said the weight of scientific and medical research did not support allegations of a link between the MMR jab and autism.
Dr Fraser's comments were made after it emerged that some doctors in Scotland were importing single dose inoculations from abroad, despite government recommendations that the triple vaccination should be used.
The doctors involved have said the law must be changed to allow them to distribute the single vaccines more freely.
 Dr Andrew Fraser: Offering reassurance |
Speaking on BBC's Reporting Scotland programme, Dr Fraser said: I think we've got to look at the reasoning behind the issue over single vaccinations.
"We've been looking very hard since the controversy arose at the basis why we recommend the MMR vaccine.
"We have asked people to look at the research of others and look at the problems there and we don't find any substance behind the allegations of a link between MMR and autism.
"What we have to do is establish the safety of MMR and the vast weight of scientific and medical opinion is behind MMR as a safe and effective vaccine.
"I wouldn't want to recommned to Scottish children a second or third best treatment option.
'Best remedy'
"MMR is safe, effective and the best remedy to protect against three very nasty diseases."
Dr Fraser's comments came just two weeks after the UK Medical Research Council concluded there was no connection between the vaccine and autism.
 Some GPs are reluctant to use the vaccine |
The Westminster government backed that up with a £3m advertising campaign to persuade parents to continue with the vaccination programme.
Despite this, many parents have been reluctant to use the triple measles, mumps and rubella injection.
Instead they want the vaccine delivered in single doses and growing numbers of GPs across Scotland have begun to oblige.
They have been able to import the individual vaccines from abroad.
Because they have not been licensed for use in this country, each doctor has to supply the names of every child being inoculated to the Department of Health as well as a medical reason why they cannot receive the triple injection.
One practice in Edinburgh has inoculated 400 children using the method.
About 2000 families in Britain have taken legal action, alleging that their children have been damaged by the jab, with many believing it has triggered autism.