LOCAL mothers and doctors have welcomed news of a new five-in-one vaccine. Their views countered claims yesterday in national newspapers that the new, mercury-free vaccine would be dangerous to babies’ immune systems.
Dr Brian Parkin, spokesman for the British Medical Association, says that the claims by parent support group Jabs are wrong.
‘There is no evidence that it will overwhelm the immune system. The reason the vaccines are combined is that it is kinder to children.’
And mother of two-month-old Michael, Rebecca Lee, agrees.
‘They have it done in one go and get it over and done with,’ she said.
Guernsey seems set to approve the new vaccine later this year.
Dr Parkin said that it was vital for babies to have either the new or old version of the vaccinations.
‘The risks from the vaccine are far less than from the diseases. Anyone who’s old enough to remember these illnesses or who’s worked in the Third World will realise what a danger they are.
‘I would urge parents very strongly to have their children immunised. Children under six months are the most likely to die of whooping cough which is why they have to be immunised early.’
He said that the old vaccination was safe, but the new version was designed to avoid the use of the live version of the polio virus which could expose people to danger.
‘This will avoid a rare complication of paralysis. This tends to happen to mothers who weren’t immunised, who can catch it when changing nappies,’ said Dr Parkin.
The new version also eliminates the use of mercury in the preservative as a precaution.
‘It’s a tiny amount in a safe form and is secreted by the body but it’s not desirable to have it in the environment,’ said Dr Parkin.
Alison Mechem, mother of seventeen-week-old Jodie, said that the debate in the newspapers and on television could deter new mothers from having their babies immunised, which puts them in danger.
‘The guy from Jabs on the television this morning was adamant he was right. I think these things scare you. When a new mum hears these things, what’s she going to believe?’
She said her daughter would continue to have her vaccinations.
Grace Luxton, just three weeks old, had not had any vaccinations as yet but her mother, Carmine, was not concerned. ‘I am going ahead. I’m not concerned because my daughter, Ellie, had them. These injections have been out for years. All of a sudden new ones come out and people question the old ones.’
Ellie, 5, recently had scarlet fever and her mum says that if she had not been immunised, she would have been a lot worse.
‘Every child is different. They all react to injections in some way. It’s just one of those things.’
Dr Parkin said that no vaccination was totally safe and sometimes it was difficult for parents to judge. It was necessary to put things into perspective.
‘We expose our children to danger when we put them in cars. With vaccinations, there’s a minuscule risk. Nothing in life is risk-free.’
Article posted on 10th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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