Parental attitudes to MMR revealed

Experts say the results of a study, designed to assess parental attitudes to the measles, mumps and rubella triple vaccination have revealed that those parents opposed to the inoculation were less worried about the illnesses than those who support the MMR jab.

These same parents, who opposed the vaccination, were apparently more concerned about an autism link.

Researchers from Stirling University conducted a study of 400 parents in the Dundee area in 2004, in part because figures have shown that the take-up rate in Scotland for the MMR vaccination was lower than the 95% target.

An initial probe had discovered that parents' decisions on whether or not to immunise were influenced by family members.

The researchers were hoping to gain a better understanding of parental attitudes and the reasons why some chose the free vaccination while others refused it.

It appears that non-immunising parents were more likely to accept the proposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Binder Kaur, leader of the university team, says non-immunising parents admitted that they would be worried if their child developed measles or mumps and accepted their child was at a greater risk of developing the diseases than other children, but it was evident they did not perceive these diseases as serious as immunising parents believe them to be.

The non-immunising parents were more likely to accept the supposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism, and surprisingly, thought that the vaccine and its effects were more dangerous for the child than contracting measles.

Mr Kaur said immunising parents had far more positive attitudes about the MMR vaccine.

He believes it is important that parents have access to as much information as possible regarding the seriousness and the consequences of their children developing the diseases measles, mumps and rubella.

Official figures in March suggested that by the end of 2004, more than 88% of infants had been given the triple injection - a 1.5% rise on 2003.

A recent long-term study found that MMR was not linked to autism, but vaccination among two-year-olds born in the last three months of 2002 was 88% - 0.2% lower than the previous quarter.

According to health officials, ninety-five per cent of children need to be immunised to ensure "herd immunity" and prevent outbreaks of measles, mumps or rubella.

NHS Scotland's Information Statistics Division (ISD) says figures show that all other childhood immunisations, such as diphtheria and polio, have a take-up rate in excess of the Scottish Executive's 95% target.