Toddlers 'Still at Risk of Mumps After MMR Jab'

[Guest guest]

http://feed.insnews.org/v-cgi/feeds.cgi?feedid=150 & story_id=1825468 Toddlers 'Still at Risk of Mumps After MMR Jab' May 11, 06:42 PM PRE-SCHOOL children may not be properly protected against mumps by the MMR jab, researchers claim today. A study by the Health Protection Agency expresses concern at low levels of immunity in vaccinated children. More than a third 34 per cent appear to remain vulnerable to the disease after having the jab at 16 months. It is not until they have a second jab before the age of five that this figure falls to 15 per cent, say researchers. Doctors want the pre-school dose of MMR to be brought forward to close the gap. However, the study says there is no data on exactly how much extra immunity is provided by the second dose. The findings will raise fears that the three-inone Measles, Mumps and Rubella jab is not working well enough to prevent mumps. The number of 17 to 22-year-olds catching the viral infection rose last year blamed on them getting only one MMR dose when it was introduced.

Confidence in the jab remains shaky since research published in The Lancet in 1998 linked it with autism and bowel diseases. The Government has, however, repeatedly reassured parents that MMR is safe. The new study is revealed today in the GPs' newspaper Pulse. Researchers analysed serum samples from 3,445 patients aged one to 69. Of those born between 1986 and 1990, who would be expected to have received one dose of MMR, 34 per cent had low levels of mumps antibodies indicating potential lack of protection. Of those born between 1991 and 1995, who should have had two doses, 15 per cent had low antibody levels.

Researchers suggest the degree of protection for individuals even after two doses is 'unclear'. Dr Pebody, a consultant epidemiologist at the HPA's Centre for Infections who took part in the study, said: 'Probably one dose isn't enough. We can see there is an impact of the second dose, but we need to study what the effectiveness of the vaccine is.' © 2006 Daily Mail; London (UK).

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

As long as the government says it's safe, then it must be safe.

Toddlers 'Still at Risk of Mumps After MMR Jab'

http://feed.insnews.org/v-cgi/feeds.cgi?feedid=150 & story_id=1825468Toddlers 'Still at Risk of Mumps After MMR Jab'May 11, 06:42 PM

PRE-SCHOOL children may not be properly protected against mumps by the MMR jab, researchers claim today.

A study by the Health Protection Agency expresses concern at low levels of immunity in vaccinated children.

More than a third 34 per cent appear to remain vulnerable to the disease after having the jab at 16 months. It is not until they have a second jab before the age of five that this figure falls to 15 per cent, say researchers.

Doctors want the pre-school dose of MMR to be brought forward to close the gap.

However, the study says there is no data on exactly how much extra immunity is provided by the second dose.

The findings will raise fears that the three-inone Measles, Mumps and Rubella jab is not working well enough to prevent mumps.

The number of 17 to 22-year-olds catching the viral infection rose last year blamed on them getting only one MMR dose when it was introduced.

Confidence in the jab remains shaky since research published in The Lancet in 1998 linked it with autism and bowel diseases.

The Government has, however, repeatedly reassured parents that MMR is safe.

The new study is revealed today in the GPs' newspaper Pulse. Researchers analysed serum samples from 3,445 patients aged one to 69.

Of those born between 1986 and 1990, who would be expected to have received one dose of MMR, 34 per cent had low levels of mumps antibodies indicating potential lack of protection.

Of those born between 1991 and 1995, who should have had two doses, 15 per cent had low antibody levels.

Researchers suggest the degree of protection for individuals even after two doses is 'unclear'.

Dr Pebody, a consultant epidemiologist at the HPA's Centre for Infections who took part in the study, said: 'Probably one dose isn't enough.

We can see there is an impact of the second dose, but we need to study what the effectiveness of the vaccine is.' © 2006 Daily Mail; London (UK).

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.