MMR policy 'foolish' says GP

The family doctor who championed the case for single vaccines against mumps, measles and rubella has described as "foolish" current efforts to "bully" parents into giving their children the triple MMR jab.

The public health community is trying to bully people. And that is both foolish and wrong

Dr Mansfield

Dr Peter Mansfield's comments came as pressure continued on Prime Minister Tony Blair to say whether or not his baby son Leo has had the three-in-one vaccination.

Dr Mansfield told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the public health community have simply lost the plot. The public are increasingly suspicious.

"The public health community is trying to bully people. And that is both foolish and wrong, and in due time they are going to have to wake up to the fact that people are defecting in droves from a policy which is flawed, not necessarily on the science but on its ethics.

"If parents wish to go to the extra trouble of having it, there is no reason why they shouldn't.

"The end result is that everybody gets vaccinated; at the moment the end result is 80% of people get vaccinated."

'Offensive'

In a statement at the weekend Tony Blair hinted that 19-month-old son Leo had had the jab, but also attacked newspapers for "horrible and unjustified" reporting of the ongoing controversy.

Mr Blair has frequently made vigorous defence of his family's right to privacy, but critics say he has already brought members of his family into his political career on several occasions.

"The suggestion that the government is advising parents to have the MMR jab whilst we are deliberately refraining from giving our child the treatment because we know it is dangerous, is offensive beyond belief," Mr Blair said.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy suggested the comments were an admission that Mr Blair's son had been given the jab.

For the record, Cherie and I both entirely support the advice as we have consistently said throughout

Tony Blair

Mr Blair's statement added: "For the record, Cherie and I both entirely support the advice as we have consistently said throughout.

"It is not true that we believe the MMR vaccine to be dangerous or believe that it is better to have separate injections, or believe that it is linked to autism."

Mr Blair said the reason he and his wife had refused to say whether their son had received the jab was to protect his privacy.

They believe that if they comment on one issue concerning one of their children they will be pressurised into commenting on everything from teenage alcohol abuse to underage sex.

Charles Kennedy said the Blairs should confirm their child had been immunised

But critics say Mr Blair has already actively brought members of his family into politics.

Last week his wife was involved in a news conference about the plight of women in Afghanistan and in 1999 Mr Blair said the controversial Millennium Dome would have to pass the "Euan test".

But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Dr Evan Harris, who defended the MMR vaccine and the Blairs' right to privacy, said: "What we have here is a classic health scare situation."

"I think there are some people who will never be satisfied...I usually don't agree with the prime minister over health policy...but in this case...I have seen the research and I know that MMR is safe."

Other cabinet members, including Alan Milburn, have refused to comment on whether their children have received the MMR vaccination.

Health minister Yvette Cooper, however, has said her child has received the treatment.