Poor Local Response to MMR Jabs

1.51.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Nov 2005

The controversy over the triple MMR jab for young children has undoubtedly scared off many local parents. 26% of local children under 2 do not have MMR by their second birthday, a higher figure than the national average (19%). This is despite the fact that the other immunisations (tetanus, polio, diphtheria, meningitis) have over 90% take up locally.

Vincent Cable MP expressed some concern over the figures: "What seems to be happening is that MMR immunisation figures are relatively low in poor areas like Lambeth because of lack of education and also in boroughs like ours with a highly educated population, where a significant number have been alarmed by the scientific controversy. It is not for me to tell your parents of young children what to do but it is worrying that a substantial number of young children appear to be unprotected against a possible epidemic - though some may well have taken the single jab."