Vaccinations ~ News
MUMPS VACCINE
AVAILABILITY
We would like to confirm
that, as stated on our Vaccinations FAQs page,
we currently have all three single vaccines, including mumps, in stock.
SUFFOLK MEASLES OUTBREAK
The July 2003 measles outbreak in Bungay, Suffolk, has highlighted increasing concerns about the falling levels of combined MMR vaccinations. Although to date only five children in Bungay have been afflicted, and all have recovered, the fact is that measles is a highly contagious and potentially killer disease. Vaccinations are now down to 85% across the region, which both the World Health Organisation and the UK government agree creates a real risk of major epidemics. It is now more important than ever that children be vaccinated. More on this subject in Vaccinations FAQs.
ELSTREE & SHEFFIELD UPDATE
As you may know, there has been considerable media coverage regarding the ways in which certain clinics offering the single vaccine alternative to MMR are alleged to have operated.
These relate to the Elstree and Sheffield clinics run by Dr David Pugh, and which have recently been closed down by the regulatory authorities. We are unable to comment on the specific allegations regarding the preparation and administering of the vaccines, as we have no knowledge of how these clinics were actually conducted. However we would like to make the following points:
> All the vaccines we use are prepared and administered by Dr Debenham himself, and are fully licensed for use by us in the UK. They are prepared only as a single dose immediately before the actual inoculation is performed. We completely comply with all recommendations regarding good practice, including storage conditions. Please note that Northlands Practice is not a clinic, but a private GP surgery providing the highest standards of care.
> The Department of Health's statement issued on July 8th includes the comment, 'We really do believe that the safest and most effective way for parents to put this right is for their children to have the [combined] MMR vaccination.'
We strongly disagree with this claim. Independently peer-approved research shows that single vaccinations are both safer and more effective than combined MMR. Indeed, if combined MMR is as effective as the DoH claims, it begs the question of why a booster vaccination is necessary. No such booster is generally considered necessary with single vaccinations. You'll find more information on our Vaccinations FAQs page.
SPECIAL SURGERIES
Our special weekend
vaccination surgeries continue to be highly popular.
Please click here for more details.
You'll find full details of all our charges on our Charges page.
Thank you for taking the
time to read this information.
If you would like any further details, please do not hesitate to contact
us.