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MEASLES fever has again struck Britain. It’s not the disease itself that’s
raising temperatures—though there have been a few minor
outbreaks—but a resurgence of a row over the safety of MMR, the combined
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. At the heart of events is the hypothetical
link between MMR and autism. More and more worried parents are abandoning
vaccination, or opting for three single vaccines. Health officials, eager to
stave off a measles epidemic, have accused these parents of playing Russian
roulette with their children’s health
(see “Tough choices”).

Health ministers must take the blame for this…

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