Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine

MMR vaccine and autism and bowel disease
The CSM has reviewed the available evidence in relation to the alleged links between MMR vaccine and autism and bowel disease and considers all new evidence relevant to the issue as it becomes available.

The view of the CSM remains that the available scientific evidence does not support a causal link between MMR vaccination and autism or inflammatory bowel disease. This view is in line with the consensus of several national and international scientific organisations.

The following links are to MHRA and CSM statements and documents about the alleged links between the MMR vaccine and autism and bowel disease:

› MHRA statement on research by Geier and Geier (22 May 2003) (109Kb) 
The authors claim to have shown a significant increase in serious neurological conditions, including autism, following MMR vaccination compared to diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. The MHRA/CSM view is that the conclusions are not justified.
 
CSM statement (14 February 2002) and associated CSM summary minutes (13 February 2002)
New research shows no link between MMR and autism or bowel disease according to the CSM.
› CSM statement (12Kb)
› CSM summary minutes (17Kb)  
   
Announcement on safety of MMR (12 January 2001) and associated CSM summary minutes (10 January 2001)
Following publicity about MMR vaccine and the availability of single antigen vaccines, the Chairmen of the two relevant independent committees, the CSM and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, confirmed the safety record of the MMR vaccine.
› Announcement on safety of MMR (8Kb)
› CSM summary minutes (185Kb) 
   
Press release and official response to publication by Wakefield and Montgomery in 'Adverse Drug Reactions and Toxicological Reviews' 2000; 19(4)
The Department of Health and MCA rejected any suggestion by Dr Andrew Wakefield and Dr Peter Fletcher that combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines were licensed prematurely
› Press release (30Kb)
› Official response (45Kb)
 
CSM MMR Expert Working Group report (1999)
Suggested associations with autism and Crohn’s disease are not supported by a detailed review of cases and an epidemiological study.
   
'Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance' articles
› The safety of MMR vaccine' (June 1999;25:1)
› MMR vaccine: the facts' (February 2001;27:1-3)

Unlicensed single vaccines
The following are links to statements about unlicensed single vaccines:

Advice on unlicensed Pavivac mumps vaccine (14 November 2002) (82Kb) 
The CSM advised that, as a precautionary measure, the use of an unlicensed single mumps vaccine, Pavivac, should be suspended pending further investigations by the Medicine Control Agency (MCA).
 
MCA objection to importation of unlicensed Urabe mumps vaccine (5 August 2002) (9Kb)
The CSM advised that Urabe mumps vaccine is associated with an unacceptable risk of aseptic meningitis and that the MCA should object to importation of unlicensed mumps vaccine containing the Urabe strain of mumps virus.

CSM advice on MMR and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
'Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance' (August 2001;27:15) Thrombocytopenia is a well-recognised rare adverse reaction with MMR vaccine. This article includes the CSM recommendations.

External links *
Detailed information on MMR vaccine can be found on the NHS MMR The facts website as well as the NHS Immunisation website
 
The Health Protection Agency website contains useful information on MMR and the diseases against which the vaccine protects. 
   
The World Health Organisation (WHO) (external link) - The WHO's Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has concluded that no evidence exists of a causal association between MMR vaccine and autism or autistic disorders. 
   
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (external link) - The United States CDC website also has information on the general issue of unfounded links between vaccine and autism. 
   
The US Institute of Medicine's (IOM) (external link) review of MMR and autism from 2001 and 2004
Immunization Safety Review: 'Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism' - 23 April 2001
Immunization Safety Review: 'Vaccines and Autism' - 17 May 2004
The view of the IOM remains that the body of epidemiological evidence favours rejection of a causal relationship between MMR vaccine and autism. 

* Please note that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not accept responsibility for the content of other sites. This list exists only for the interest and convenience of those who use this section of the MHRA site. It does not necessarily recommend or condone the included sites. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over availability of the linked pages.

Contact for further information  
For further information on this part of our site, please contact our Information Centre, 10-2, MHRA, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ, telephone 020-7084 2000, fax 020-7084 2353 or e-mail info@mhra.gsi.gov.uk