Measles outbreaks lead to call for compulsory vaccination

Pressure is growing for childhood vaccinations such as the MMR jab to be made compulsory for all children before they can be allowed a place at school.A prominent doctor said yesterday he would lobby the British Medical Association (BMA) to change its stance in favour of compulsory immunisation, and the Welsh assembly is actively considering the move following a series of outbreaks of measles across the country.Sir Sandy Macara, a public health doctor and former chairman of the BMA, wants the doctors' body to throw its weight behind compulsory childhood vaccinations at its annual meeting this month."Our attempts to persuade people have failed," he said yesterday. "The suggestion is that we ought to consider making a link which, in effect, would make it compulsory for children to be immunised if they are to receive the benefit of a free education from the state."The Welsh assembly is considering compulsory vaccination after...

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