Peter Todd
Solicitor acting for claimants in MMR litigation
My nine-month-old son, Alexander, has had diptheria tetanus and acellular pertussis, polio, HIB and meningitis C. Today, he is going for the tuberculosis vaccine too. So I am keen on vaccines! However, when my son's invitation for the MMR jab arrives shortly, he won't be going - at least not for a couple of years. I am acting in legal claims for a number of parents who believe the vaccine has seriously injured their child. After consideration, I would say that, although there is no evidence that it does cause autism, it is a serious possibility. More research is needed.
Verdict: Wait and see
Isabella Thomas
Spokeswoman for JABS, a parents' support group
The MMR vaccine manufacturer's own leaflet warns of possible "gastro-intestinal effects" and "neurological reactions", and we have parents reporting a range of vaccine-related illness, including epilepsy, encephalitis, bowel problems, regressive autism and profound deafness. Our membership is 2,000. It is very convenient for Andrew Wakefield to be portrayed as a lone voice, but there are many other scientists who back the questions he has raised. JAB's view is that it should be suspended for further testing, and that single vaccines should be reintroduced.
Verdict: Yes
Dr Helen Bedford
Senior research fellow, Institute of Child Health
The MMR vaccine has been in use since 1972 in the US and 1982 in Scandinavia. Before it was introduced in these countries, it underwent trials to make sure it was safe and effective. By 1988, when it was introduced in the UK, we had the benefit of many years of experience which confirmed that serious side-effects were uncommon. In 1998, Dr Wakefield and colleagues suggested there might be a connection between the vaccine and both autism and bowel problems. Studies were set up to look into the possibility. They have not confirmed Dr Wakefield's suggestion.
Verdict: No
Judith Barnard
Communications director, National Autistic Society
That is a question for the medical establishment which can only be answered by more research. Given the thousands of calls about MMR to the NAS each year, parents are not convinced. A number report that autism started in their children, who had been progressing well, directly after the MMR jab, but the link cannot be proved. We are committed to immunisation and protecting children against measles, mumps and rubella but cannot advise parents either way. The government should direct its £3m into that research, not advertising campaigns.
Verdict: Jury still out
Magda Taylor
Coordinator, The Informed Parent
There is much cause for doubt about the jab, from the way that it is injected and what it is made of, to the safety of combining the three inoculations. Before the vaccine was introduced, the death rate from measles had already fallen by 95%. The colossal scale of the drugs industry is enough to make some people sceptical, and the health service so quickly and absolutely dismisses public fears that it appears to be avoiding confronting serious issues. Many people are not even told about the yellow card system to report suspected reactions to vaccines.
Verdict: Yes
Dr George Kassianos
Spokesman, Royal College of General Practitioners
There is no doubt in my mind that there is no reason to doubt the safety of the MMR jab. Yesterday's summit found that Dr Wakefield's report was riddled with inaccuracies and did not prove links between the vaccine and autism or gut problems, along with all other studies around the world on the subject. The vaccine was tested sufficiently to be granted a licence, and these licences are not granted permanently. The medical control agency demands reviews at least every five years - irrespective of how many yellow cards it may have received.
Verdict: No
