Parents' MMR Concerns Revealed, UK

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 18 Jul 2005 - 15:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Parents who don't allow their children to have the MMR vaccine think that measles, mumps and rubella are less serious diseases than parents whose children have been vaccinated. Also, parents of children who go unvaccinated are more likely to believe there is a link between the vaccine and autism and/or bowel disorders. This research explaining why some parents reject the free vaccine was carried out by health psychologists from the University of Stirling. Over 400 parents took part in the study in Dundee last year.

Researcher Binder Kaur said: "Non-immunising parents admitted that they would be worried if their child developed measles or mumps, and accepted their child was at a greater risk of developing the diseases than other children, but they did not perceive these diseases as serious as immunising parents believe them to be. Non-immunising parents were more likely to accept the proposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism and/or bowel disorders. Surprisingly, they also thought that the vaccine and its effects were more dangerous for the child than contracting measles. In contrast, immunising parents held more positive attitudes about the MMR vaccine and perceived it to be more beneficial than hazardous."

Binder added: "Although uptake rates have started to increase they have not reached the 95% target set by the government. Consequently, there have been both measles and mumps outbreaks in the Scotland. The present study helps us understand parental attitudes and the reasons why some choose the vaccination whilst others refuse. Clearly, it is important that parents have access to as much information as possible regarding the seriousness and the consequences of their children developing the diseases measles, mumps and rubella".

The study suggested parents' decisions whether or not to immunise were influenced by family members. Binder has begun a new study to investigate this finding further and would like to recruit a mixed group of parents, those who have had their child immunised and those who have not, to take part in focus groups. Participants will be encouraged to discuss their feelings towards the vaccine. A nominal fee will be paid to participants.

University of Stirling

• Additional
• References
• Citations