Finnish study confirms safety of MMR vaccine

A large prospective follow up of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination programme in Finland has concluded that serious adverse events are rare and greatly outweighed by the risks of disease. The message is reinforced by two independent advisory bodies in the United Kingdom, which have carried out further reviews of the safety data.

The Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation independently examined all the data in an attempt to restore public confidence in the MMR vaccine. Immunisation levels have fallen below 75% in some parts of the United Kingdom, prompting fears of a measles outbreak. There have also been calls to give parents the option of having their children vaccinated separately …