Fall in take-up of MMR jab

The number of children reaching the age of two immunised against
measles, mumps and rubella, has fallen by 2 per cent according to
latest figures.

New statistics from the Scottish Centre for Infection and
Environmental Health has also shown that uptake of other childhood
immunisation has fallen by about one per cent.

Commenting on the fall, chief medical officer Dr Mac Armstrong
said: “Public debate during the period covered by the figures meant
parents were worried, and decided not to have their children
immunised against MMR.

“The result is that 10 per cent of children in this group are
nor protected against three serious diseases,” he added.

Armstrong stressed that the MMR vaccine was “a safe and
effective means of protection” and urged Scottish parents that it
was not too late to protect their children.

He added that new information will shortly be available for
health professionals across the country to help them explain to
parents the benefits of immunisation.