The jury's still out on the safety of vaccination

EVER since Dr Andrew Wakefield's medical research showed a link between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism in child recipients, he has been demonised by the British establishment. It is now said that his findings are flawed by conflict of interest.

But Dr Wakefield has shown the strength of his convictions by demanding that his role in the controversy be investigated by the General Medical Council in Britain.

One doesn't need to be a doctor or a vaccine expert to perceive that each of the three main components of a vaccine; virus, bacteria, and at least two poison chemical adjuvants or preservatives like formaldehyde and thiomersal, are quite capable of causing cancer, brain damage, and many forms of autism, asthma, diabetes and learning disorders.

It is deplorable that the Oireachtas Health Committee chairman, Batt O'Keeffe, has been reported as saying that major action was required by everyone to ensure that Ireland does not suffer any major disease outbreaks as a result of falling MMR rates.

How can Mr O'Keeffe possibly propose such a measure when the jury is still out on the safety of the MMR?

Patrick J Carroll

Lady Lane House

Waterford