WILL TV BLITZ SOLVE THE MMR JAB CRISIS?; Chiefs move to ease fears.

Byline: JAMES HARDY, Political Editor

HEALTH chiefs are to launch a massive TV and radio advertising blitz to tell parents the MMR vaccine is safe for their children.

It is likely the ads will feature a direct message of reassurance from Chief Medical Officer Professor Liam Donaldson. He said yesterday: "We want parents to have information so they can make the best choice for their children. At the moment, we don't feel that message is getting through. We need to get better at it."

In addition, action teams will target parents in areas of low uptake of the jab persuading them it is the best protection.

The new moves came as Tony Blair repeated his strong backing for MMR and all but confirmed that son Leo had had the jab.

The Government fears it is losing the propaganda battle over the safety of the combined measles, mumps and rubella jabs.

It is also concerned that single injections for the diseases could put children at risk.

Professor Donaldson said: "If I could sit down with every parent I am convinced I could reassure them of the overwhelming positive safety record of MMR vaccine."

Professor Donaldson said he was determined not to return to 70s when unfounded fears over whooping cough vaccine led to single jabs.

The result was a fall in the number of children inoculated and 250,000 youngsters catching the life-threatening disease.

Professor Donaldson will also send a letter to hospitals challenging claims an alleged link between MMR and autism made by researcher Dr Andrew Wakefield.

Mr Blair told Sky News yesterday that reports he and wife Cherie wanted three separate vaccinations for Leo were "complete nonsense".

He said he would never back something he did not believe was safe. But he again defended his family's right to privacy.

CAPTION(S):

CAMPAIGN: Baby gets MMR jab and, right, Prof Donaldson