London which suggests that the vaccine damages the gut and causes toxins to enter the brain, triggering autism is the first hint of a problem, and it' s too early to jump to conclusions. But that doesn' t mean it' s not important. No one really knows the full con- sequences of giving a child three immune attacks mumps, measles and rubella all at the same time.

This simply doesn' t occur in nature. Some children with autism do show evidence of chronic measles infection months after the MMR vaccine is given. I suspect that, in some children whose immune systems are already weakened, perhaps those suscep tible to food allergies and infections, these triple vaceines could be the last straw. For most, I doubt it' s a problem.

Of course, the last thing the medical profession wants is a whole lot of children not being vaccinated, since that increases the risk of epidemics, yet there' s a logical argument for single vaccines from a reputable clinic, if a parent so chooses, especially for children with weakened immune systems. Either way, Dr Wakefield' s research should be followed up, not just whitewashed.