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July 1, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Health Chiefs Report Sharp Rise in Measles Cases"

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (06/29/02)

After a drop in measles vaccinations due to an increase in parental fears over side effects, the number of measles cases has significantly risen in Great Britain in the first three months of this year with 126 confirmed cases this year compared to just 32 confirmed cases last year.  Out of the 50 cases in London involving children under that age of five years, 35 cases involved children who were not vaccinated against the disease. An [unsubstantiated] four year study linking the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination to autism caused the increase in parental concern that has left many children vulnerable to infection.  The measles outbreak, which is a strain common in southeast Asian countries but not in Britain, is linked to several nurseries and schools in south London and has since died down.

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