More on MMR

[Guest guest]

Well, I'm still not convinced! )

Sue

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1871000/1871724.stm

Plans for a multi-million pound government advertising campaign to promote

the controversial MMR jab have been scrapped.

Ministers are concerned parents have lost faith in the combined injection

against measles, mumps and rubella, because of fears it can lead to autism.

The Department of Health last month said it was considering taking out

newspaper, radio and television adverts to broadcast its message that the

vaccine is safe.

Officials say there was never going to be a " media blitz " but front line

medical staff will be used in an " education and information " campaign.

The department insists the idea there would be a massive media campaign was

a " misconception that gained common currency " and denials were not widely

reported.

Originally, it had been mooted that Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam son

could make a " personal appeal " on national television urging parents to let

their children have the jab.

Under the new plans, information packs are being sent to family doctors,

nurses, health care workers and other medical professionals who see the

public daily.

The department says this approach will get the safety message to parents in

a " more measured, considered way " than via the national media.

In private, officials say people trust their doctors and would not

necessarily listen to politicians, the department or Sir Liam.

The news came as Downing Street stuck to its refusal to say whether his son

Leo has had the injection.

Tony Blair's official spokesman was challenged to deny fresh speculation by

a newspaper reporter that Leo has had three separate injections in France

rather than one combined MMR jab.

The prime minister was still determined to avoid getting into detailed

discussion about the medical history of his children, said the spokesman.

But Mr Blair would not ask anyone to have a treatment which he was not

prepared to have given to his own children, he added.

Take-up of MMR has fallen sharply and fears that children's lives could be

put at risk were aggravated by measles outbreaks in some areas.

The government has cited the long list of medical experts, including the

World Health Organisation, that back the vaccine.

But opposition MPs and some patients groups want the NHS to offer the three

single injections.