Question reference: S4W-08223
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 25 June 2012
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 June 2012
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the use of the MMR vaccine following the recent judgement in Italy in the case of Valentino Bocca relating to MMR inoculations and autism.
Answer
The Scottish Government bases vaccination policy on the independent expert advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The view of the JCVI is that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that MMR does not cause autism.
In March a judge presiding over a case in Rimini Italy decided to award compensation to the parents of a nine year old boy on the basis that a vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) had caused autism. This decision reflects the opinion of a judge on the specific facts of this single case and should not be seen as a precedent for any other case.
The judgement of the court in Italy does not alter the scientific position and there are no plans to undertake further research nor to change MMR immunisation policy as a result of this Italian court decision.