Clinic dismisses attack on MMR doctor

9:21am Wednesday 3rd March 2004

STAFF at an Eltham clinic offering single measles, mumps and rubella vaccines have dismissed claims that research linking the MMR vaccine to autism is "poor science".

Their comment follows the revelation Dr Andrew Wakefield, author of the research which first sparked fears about the safety of the triple vaccine, was also paid for a study into whether children allegedly damaged by the MMR could sue.

The conflict of interest has led the editor of the medical journal which first published the findings to say he should never have done so.

However, staff at the Direct 2000 clinic, in Grove Market Place, Eltham, believe the revelation is an attempt to influence a judicial review into the withdrawal of legal aid for families suing vaccine manufacturers.

Chief executive Sarah Dean said: "For this to come out now is quite interesting exactly a week after we asked for a judicial review into the withdrawal of legal aid.

"How the research was funded is irrelevant. The most important factor is what his findings, along with a number of studies in the US, have revealed."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said it had been unaware of the conflict of interest and denied there was any link between the revelation and the judicial review.