Surge in claims over MMR jab

The number of families taking legal action against the makers of the MMR jab has risen dramatically in the last two months.

The increase came after publicity over the jab raised new fears about its safety.

There have been calls for parents to be given the choice to opt for three single vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella rather than the all-in-one MMR which has been linked to autism and bowel disease.

In the last eight weeks alone, 120 families who claim their children have been damaged by the jab have had their cases accepted by lawyers acting in the £1billion class action, which now involves 1,200 children. The case is not due to come before the courts until October 2003 at the earliest. The families have been given £1million in legal aid.

The Government says studies show no link between MMR and autism or bowel disease.