14
Aug 2018
Are Low MMR vaccination uptake rates the result of 1995 discredited research?
Gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield published a study in medical publication The Lancet in 1995, which speculated that children who had been vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) had a higher likelihood of suffering from autism and bowel disease than those who were not vaccinated.
He suggested that an injection of the ‘dead’ form of the measles virus disrupted intestinal tissue, leading to one or both conditions.
Although Wakefield was at the time accused of having a conflict of interest, as he had a patent for single MMR vaccines, immunisation rates plummeted in the UK.
The Lancet retracted the research paper in 2010 and shortly afterwards, Wakefield was banned by the General Medical Council from practicing medicine in the UK, declaring that his research had shown a ‘callous disregard’ for the health of children.
The following year, the British Medical Journal published a report which showed that of the 12 children who were included in the 1995 study, two at most had autistic symptoms following their immunisation, rather than the eight he claimed. The children also had developmental delays prior to the vaccination, although the paper had claimed they were ‘previously normal’.
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
- Like this ? Share with friends