Hmm

definitely a London problem then, 1/5th (?) of population but 1/3rd of all the measle cases last year.

what the report does not appear to say though is much about the implications if people get measles. Ok so 1000 kids get it.....and have ear infections etc.....most will come through, one assumes.....(as they dont point out the problems with measles and the death rate etc..) And I would love to know what records were like for measles in 1972 - which is probably the year my family had them - but the Govt didnt think to save this information until 1995...bizarre!!!

It's difficult, as usual the media have swayed our opinions on this MMR. If i was a parent I would have opted for three separate jabs, although I must admit I did not realise the cost was so great. That thought is based on what I have read, which is probably flawed. I have just tried to google for UK cases, and all reports talk about "when records began", which is ridiculous if it is claimed it is 1995. I just don't believe that. Then, the secrecy around Leo Blair was ridiculous, and confirms that in fact he must have had separate jabs, which naturally feeds every parent's fear

I did find a report that shows a much declining death rate to 1972, even before the jab for measles was introduced...I think it is poor information and poor media, and dare I say it, perhaps a storm in a teacup, if there are only 1000 cases a year, as while it may seem harsh, the death rate is so low, that it is not going to have any impact (unless you are the 1 in 1000), but it will put a strain on the rest of the population of course.

Blair should not have been so secretive, and perhaps if the autism cases which are now claimed to be "insignificant" had not been blown out of the water, parents would not have the fears they now justifiably have - regardless of the scientific accuracy or whether something else , such as diet causes that autism)

I think what is important is the relative risks. No immunity, chance that you might be one of the 1000 kids in the country to get measles and, possibly, die. Have the jab, chances of dying from that - much smaller. It's not that clear cut in all cases but when you look at the published mortality figures the choice becomes clear. Of course, there's always spin and we will never know how much is placed on this but we can only hope that medical professionals would insist on as clear reporting as possible.

Not particularly relevant, but my brother-in-law is a surgeon. His little one had MMR (albeit late because she had immune function issues) and all the paeds at his hospital had given it to their little ones.

Choice is important - my concern is that choice should be informed accurately and not just with whatever spin the political party choses.

PS: good to hear from you Erica! How's things?

the same is true for dave's post, he never said "force parents" (i.e. to have the jab) either.