FEARS by parents that the MMR vaccine could be linked to autism and bowel disease have led to a decline in those allowing their children to be given it.

Around 68 per cent of Jersey children are receiving the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella compared to Public Health Service’s target of 95 per cent and figures they quote as ‘routine’ levels in the UK of 80 to 90 per cent.

The department are launching a campaign this summer to encourage parents to bring their children forward for vaccination.

In a statement issued this week, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr Duncan Nicholson said that numbers of those having the MMR vaccine in the UK were now climbing steadily.

‘There is now no good reason to fear the MMR vaccine and I hope that Jersey parents will bring their children forward with confidence to be immunised against these potentially serious diseases,’ Dr Nicholson said.

In their statement Public Health say they believe the evidence claiming that the vaccine was linked to autism and bowel disease ‘was always weak.’