http://www.nursingtimes.net/nav?page=nt.news.story&resource=2040886
The vast majority of nurses lack confidence in the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine despite overwhelming evidence that it does not cause autism.In a poll of over 300 nurses conducted on nursingtimes.net, 94% said they were 'still suspicious' of MMR.
The results come as a leading academic today said the UK has ‘all but lost the battle for MMR’.Professor Paul Bellaby, writing in the British Medical Journal blamed the lack of support for MMR on a failure of leadership by health professionals, lack of support from politicians, including the prime minister, and journalists who ‘have more interest in amplifying risk than allaying public anxiety’
Last week week a major Japanese study showed no link between the vaccine and childhood autism.The research is the latest in a long line of studies which have failed to replicate or validate a paper published in The Lancet in 1998 suggesting the vaccine caused bowel disease and autism.
Up to that point, MMR vaccinations in the United Kingdom reached 92% of its targets. But by 2002, the United Kingdom lost considerable ground and coverage of MMR in London is around 75%.Reference: Bellaby P (2005) Has the UK government lost the battle over MMR? BMJ 330 (7491) 552-553