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SECOND JAB IS IN LINE OF FIRE  
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09:30 - 16 March 2004  
Scientists have warned that the vaccine given to infants aged two, three
and four months to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough
routinely may increase the risk of autism six-fold. Joanna Hill reports.

Last year, mother-of-two Dawn Thompson opted out of the MMR jab for her
two-year-old daughter Mia, in favour of single jabs run by a private health
company. 

Since the controversy over MMR began in 1998, the government has insisted
that the triple jab has no links with the rise in autism in young children,
as research suggests.

Many parents, like Dawn (27) and her husband Simon (30), of Chedworth
Drive, Alvaston, continue to question the vaccine against mumps, measles
and rubella.

However, it had not crossed the Thompsons' minds that there may be some
doubt over the other vaccinations administered by the NHS.

Babies of just two months old are immunised against six different diseases,
with boosters at one month and two months later.

Three jabs are given; a three-in-one for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
or whooping cough, known as DTP, plus the Hib and meningitis C vaccine. The
polio vaccine is given orally.

But the DTP has been phased out in America and much of the developed world,
due to concerns over thiomersal, a mercury-based substance used as a
preservative in the vaccine.

Research claims that babies receiving DTP are twice as likely to develop a
speech impediment and six times more likely to become autistic than those
who are given a mercury-free alternative.

The research is a review of previous studies and has just been presented to
America's Institute of Medicine.

Autism used to be considered a rare condition, with a prevalence of about
two-to-four per 10,000 children. But by the late 1990s, studies showed the
rate had increased to 93 in every 10,000.

The cause is not yet known.

"Thiomersal has no place in medicine. It should be banned for use in
humans" said report author Dr Mark Geier. "These are our children."

The implications of a health scare surrounding this jab could be
devastating. It has one of the most successful take-up rates of all vaccines.

In this area, 96 per cent of two year-olds at the end of 2003 had received
the jab - two per cent higher than the national average.

The government says there is not any cause for concern.

The Department of Health has issued a statement pointing out that recent
reviews by the Committee on the Safety of Medicines found no evidence of
low doses of thiomersal impacting on childhood development.

"Thiomersal has been used in vaccines for over 60 years. It has played an
important role in maintaining the safety of vaccines," it said.

However, the statement went on to say that Committee has endorsed the
general principle of reducing thiomersal in vaccines in the long-term.

Dr Brian Bates has been a GP at Overdale Medical Practice, which has
surgeries in Borrowash and Breaston, for 14 years.

He says that until about 10 years ago, the boosters were given later. This
was changed because children were catching the diseases during the periods
that they were not fully immunised.

He has never experienced any problems with the DTP jab and the uptake in
his practice is above average.

"I've not heard anything through our journals," he said. "We need to know
more about it. I've been using these vaccines all my qualified life and
there have never been any problems."

Vaccine debate is not clear cut 
Q What does the DTP jab protect our children against? 

A It is a three-in-one vaccine to protect against three fatal illnesses:
diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). 

Diphtheria starts out with a sore throat and can cause respiratory problems
as well as damage to the heart and nervous system.

Tetanus germs are found in soil and enter the body through cuts and burns.
It affects muscles, is very painful and can cause breathing problems.

Whooping cough can last for several weeks and often causes vomiting and
choking after long periods of coughing.

Q What are scientists and the authorities saying about the triple jab? 

A Concerns have already been raised about the mercury component of the jab.
Now, U.S. researchers have suggested that the vaccines increase the risk of
autism six-fold. The jab was phased out in America five years ago. 

A lawsuit has been launched in the U.S. against manufacturers Eli Lilly. It
is facing claims for up to £30bn.

The Government maintains that there is no link between the jab and
developmental delay, but says that work is being done to reduce the levels
of the mercury-based substance thiomersal in the jab. But, the cause of
autism is still not known.