It has been the most highly-charged, emotive health issue of recent years: is the triple vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) safe or is it responsible for autism and bowel disorders? The controversy that captured headlines four years ago has been reignited by the appearance before the General Medical Council of Dr Andrew Wakefield and two colleagues who claimed there was a link between the MMR vaccine and these conditions.
Dr Wakefield and Professors John Walker-Smith and Simon Murch have denied charges of serious misconduct over their research into MMR. Dr Wakefield has been accused of taking blood samples from children at a birthday party and offering them money, of being paid for advising solicitors on legal action by parents over the MMR jab and of ordering medical investigations 'without the requisite paediatric qualifications'.
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