Immunisation chief: Parents should be reassured

Parents should be reassured that there is no evidence to suggest giving their child the MMR vaccine will increase their risk of autism, the UK's director of immunisation has said.

In 1998 a report suggested the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) could lead to autism and bowel problems, prompting many parents to reject the vaccine.

These claims have since been disputed and the lead author of the report, Dr Andrew Wakefield, is appearing before the General Medical Council on charges relating to the claims.

Further evidence disputing his claims has been revealed from the most comprehensive study undertaken on the subject.

This found "no association" between the MMR vaccine and autism spectrum disorders.

Commenting on the study, director of immunisation at the Department of Health Professor David Salisbury said: "It's natural for parents to worry about the health and wellbeing of their children and I hope that this study will reassure them that there is no evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism."