Do more research to allay fear of vaccines

AS a parent who did not vaccinate my first child in the late 70s against measles for fear of the possibility of brain damage, I can fully understand the concerns of some parents today. It is a pity that the research by Dr Andrew Wakefield, which brought the issue to public notice, did not provoke more focused research. Instead, his work was deemed fraudulent and he lost his right to practise medicine.

However, it is not unknown in any area of science when practitioners produce hypotheses or experimental results that contradict the prevailing views of their peers; they and their views get marginalised. Dr Wakefield was particularly harshly punished because of the political aspects of public health.