Make MMR jab a must for school

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No web link - Daily Mail (UK) 3 Nov 2010The effort to make vaccination compulsory for school entry is ramping up in force in both the UK and Australia. In the UK, if you are not yet a member of a vaccination choice support organisation, please join NOW. In Australia, please support the AVN, VISA or VAIS. We will be working hard to support your rights!CHILDREN who have not had the MMR jab should be banned from attending school, according to a leading doctor.

He said the draconian measure was the only way to ensure higher uptake of the vaccine.

Since doubts emerged over MMR 12 years ago, the number of children receiving the combined jab for measles, mumps and rubella has fallen by a

third in some parts of the country.

At the same time cases of measles and mumps have increased ten-fold.

Dr Sohail Bhatti, director of public health at East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, said parents had a responsibility to ensure their children were immunised.

He said many still feared sideeffects even though Dr Wakefield’s study which prompted the scare had been discredited.

Dr Bhatti is now asking Lancashire County Council to include the jab among the criteria for school admission.

He said: ‘It’s what happens in France, where you can’t be admitted

to school unless you show your vaccination certificate.

‘We have a responsibility to ensure children are immunised. At worst, rubella and measles can cause brain damage.

‘ I’m not saying vaccination

should be obligatory. But at the very least parents should have a duty to inform schools, nurseries and doctors if they have decided not to have it.’

In 1998 Dr Wakefield claimed MMR was linked to autism and bowel disorders. He was struck off by the General Medical Council in May.

Meryl Doreymeryl@...Australian Vaccination NetworkInvestigate before you vaccinate02 6687 1699 - Work02 6687 2032 - FAX"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - lin