Call for reintroduction of single vaccines for mumps, measles and rubella

A UK survey on the use of the combined mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine reveals that four out of 10 GPs would like to see single vaccines available as an alternative. The general consensus among GPs was that reintroducing the single vaccine might be the only way to get some parents to agree to have their child vaccinated. The survey, carried out by the medical magazine Pulse, revealed that a quarter of GPs feel the government has not proven that the MMR vaccine is not linked to autism, although they believed ministers should also explain to patients how difficult this is to prove. More than a third of GPs also suggested that parents should be given the option of having blood tests performed before their child's MMR booster, to see whether it is necessary.

Hamish Meldrum, of the British Medical Association's GP Committee, said doctors are facing...