Blair keeps silence on MMR jab

Mr Blair refuses comment on his family's health care

Downing Street has refused to confirm reports that Tony Blair's son Leo was given the MMR vaccine.

A report in the Independent newspaper claims Leo had the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine last week.

Mr Blair has come under pressure to say whether his 20-month-old child has had the vaccination, but has always maintained it is a private matter.

A spokesman said the vaccine had the Prime Minister's unequivocal support - but he believed that when it came to health, his children were entitled to the same privacy as any other child.

Some parents have expressed fears over the safety of the vaccine, and insisted each jab be given separately.

The report comes as fears of a measles outbreak in south London are growing after series of cases, including one which left a toddler dangerously ill.

Measles has been confirmed in three children, and health officials expect up to 22 others will also test positive for the infection.

Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham has a very low uptake figure for the controversial Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

'Confidentiality'

Government health advice says MMR is safe and recommends it to parents.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Evan Harris backed Mr Blair's decision to protect Leo's confidentiality.

Dr Harris said the recent political row over Rose Addis, a 94-year-old London woman whose family complained about her treatment in hospital, had highlighted the danger of politicians detailing the personal medical details of patients.

He said: "Politicians have to be careful not to be hypocritical and not to parade information about their children and their health when it suits them and then seek to conceal it.

Dr Harris said confirmation that Leo had had the vaccination would not necessarily allay parents' fears over MMR.

The regional director of public health in London, Sue Atkinson, said that the south London outbreak was the inevitable result of parents rejecting MMR for their children.

Dr Atkinson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is a pool of children who haven't been immunised and they can very easily pass it on to each other. It's those children who are vulnerable."

Doctor defied government

Last November, a doctor reported to the General Medical Council after offering an alternative to the controversial MMR jab was formally cleared of wrongdoing.

Dr Peter Mansfield, who has a private practice in Louth, Lincolnshire, defied the government and allowed parents to opt for the single measles vaccine instead of the combined MMR type.

Worcestershire Health Authority reported him to the GMC, saying that by offering the single jab, he was not acting in the best interests of his patients.

But the GMC dropped the case, effectively endorsing his approach.