UK: Medics slam 'distorted' MMR drama

[Guest guest]

Medics slam 'distorted' MMR drama

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3314719.stm

Leading child health experts have called a drama about the MMR vaccine

" distorted " and " entirely unbalanced " .

Five's Hear My Silence tells the story of a mother whose child has autism

which she believes is linked to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

But 11 experts have written an open letter attacking the link made by the

drama between MMR and autism.

No research has ever proved a link, and the overwhelming majority of experts

believe the vaccine is safe.

The audience is presented with a piece of fiction that could not be further

from the truth

The open letter, signed by leading GPs, nurses and paediatricians says the

programme presents an " entirely unbalanced " of the work carried out by Dr

Wakefield at the Royal Free Hospital Medical School in the 1990s.

It was that research which led to fears of a link between MMR and autism,

although the paper found no direct evidence of a link.

The letter complains that other doctors are portrayed as " baddies " who

appear to " positively dislike children " .

It adds " the audience is presented with a piece of fiction that could not be

further from the truth " .

Many will identify with the mother's experiences of isolation when faced

with a lack of help and support in achieving diagnosis for her son. "

Vernon Beauchamp, National Autistic Society

The medics say no evidence has been found for the 'new' forms of autism as

described by Dr Wakefield and the drama.

The letter adds: " Over 30 years worldwide use of the combined MMR vaccine

has shown it to be extremely safe and highly effective at preventing these

three potentially damaging diseases.

" It would be a pity if the desire for 'good' television took precedence over

the welfare of children and set this back.

'Talk to your doctor'

" Our concern is that because this one-sided and misleading film appears to

be a documentary, with some key players and places named, it will have

undeserved credibility and inevitably increase the anxieties of parents

whose children are due to have the MMR.

" We hope that any adverse effects are minimal and that the film does not

persuade any parent to reject the MMR vaccine.

" We recommend that parents who have questions about the MMR vaccine seek

advice from their health visitor or general practitioner. "

The letter was signed by leading specialists including:-

Alan Craft - President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Haslam - Chairman, Royal College of General Practitioners

Jane - Chief Executive, Great Ormond Street Hospital

Carol Black - President, Royal College of Physicians

Beverly Malone - General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing

Rooney, a spokesman for the Sense, the national deafblind and

rubella association, said: " This drama will only add to the confusion that

many parents feel about the vaccine.

" It quite irresponsibly links the rise in diagnosed cases of autism with the

introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988.

" This is despite the fact that extensive research has shown that there is no

increased incidence of autism among those children who have had the vaccine

compared to those who have not. "

He also criticised the drama's star, t son, for what he described

as " irresponsible " remarks in media interviews in which she has called into

question the safety of the vaccine.

But a spokesman for Five said the actress had every right to make her views

known. She added: " t son has never claimed to be a medical

expert. She is expressing her views as a mother. "

And Vernon Beauchamp, chief executive of the National Autistic Society,

said: " Hear the Silence is a powerful drama and many of our members will

identify with the mother's experiences of isolation when faced with a lack

of help and support in achieving diagnosis for her son. "