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Kids' MMR jab gets mum's support
THE mother of a little boy with autism has spoken out to encourage other parents to get their children protected by the MMR vaccine.
Samantha Foxton does not believe there is any link between her son Ben's condition and the jab which protects him against measles, mumps and rubella.
She spoke out as Dr Andrew Wakefield – one of the people involved in research which connected the vaccine with autism – faces being struck off the General Medical Council register for his "dishonest, irresponsible and callous" conduct.
His report, published in 1998, said he had found evidence the MMR jab could result in autism and bowel disease – discouraging thousands of parents from getting their kids immunised against diseases including measles, which can be fatal.
Samantha, a school nurse from Todwick, whose second child Ella, three, has also received her pre-school booster of vaccine, said: "I think it's really important for the uptake of the vaccine to improve.
"I really don't believe there is any link between Ben's autism and MMR – I wouldn't have sent Ella to get her pre-school boost if I did.
"On the other hand I do know how serious these illnesses and the complications that can arise from them can be."
See Saturday's Star for the latest on this story
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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