A HEALTH chief today criticised TV drama Hear the Silence for giving parents and children the wrong impression about the controversial MMR jab
The programme, screened at 9pm on Five this week, was billed as a fact-based medical drama exploring controversy surrounding the vaccination and its alleged links to autism.
But Dr Jim Paris, director of Public Health for Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, said the view presented was one-sided and failed to recognise the controversy surrounding the 1998 study into the MMR vaccine.
The film, he said, ignored the fact extensive research into MMR had found no evidence to support Dr Wakefield's claim the vaccine may be linked to an increase in autism.
Dr Paris said: "This is one of those occasions when I would urge parents to let their heads rule their hearts. Measles, Mumps and rubella are serious illnesses with significant, proven dangers. It is essential our children are protected by the MMR vaccine."
Information about MMR is available on the website www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk
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