Apology over 'unwanted' MMR jab

Stevie was given the vaccine by a health worker

Health chiefs have apologised to the parents of a young girl who was given the MMR jab against their wishes.

Three-year-old Stevie Hall received the injection at her nursery school in Leeds - even though her parents signed two forms refusing the vaccine.

Tim and Jane Hall are now considering taking legal action against Leeds West Primary Care Trust (PCT).

A spokeswoman for the PCT confirmed the incident, which they said was down to a "regrettable mistake".

Human error

Lilian Dalton, business support manager for the PCT, said: "Leeds West Primary Care Trust is sorry if this incident has caused Mr and Mrs Hall upset or distress.

"The PCT believes in patient choice, including choice of immunisation.

"However, in this instance it would appear that a member of our front line staff made an honest, yet regrettable, mistake and Mr and Mrs Hall's daughter was given the immunisation without parental consent.

"We are currently reviewing our procedures to see if changes need to be made in order to avoid mistakes of this nature in the future."

Stevie was given the jab by a health worker who visited Whingate School in Armley, Leeds, on Monday 17 May.

Her parents had signed a second form refusing their consent for the vaccination after the original was misplaced.

MMR controversy

They told the Yorkshire Evening Post they signed a form for polio and Hib vaccines, but said no to the combined measles, mumps and rubella injection.

Mr Hall, 43, of Armley, said he did not want to take the risk of his daughter receiving the jab because of his uncertainty over the risks involved.

He said he was "livid" after hearing about the mistake.

The controversy about the MMR injection has raged since 1998 when The Lancet published research that raised the possibility of a link to autism.

Ten of the doctors who co-authored the study, which never proved a link, have since said there was insufficient evidence to draw that conclusion.