MMR AND THE MEDIA

Early day motion 815, tabled 6 February 2002 by Peter Bradley (Labour). Signed by 100 members.

That this House notes with concern the recent outbreaks of measles in London and the North East; further notes the often devastating consequences of measles, mumps and rubella for young children and their parents; condemns the irresponsible conduct of some sections of the press and media which have undermined public confidence in MMR either by sensationalising the doubts about its safety of a small minority of doctors or by cynically manufacturing a political controversy without regard for the consequences for public health; and urges parents to consider the almost unanimous medical advice from this country and the 90 others where MMR is routinely in use that the risk associated with the triple vaccination is vastly outweighed by the danger to their children and those of others of not having it.

Signatures by party: Labour 82, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 6, UUP 2, Conservative 1.