Parents warned over vaccination ‘profiteers’

South West Essex Primary Care Trust has spoken out against Health-choice UK, which is running private vaccination clinics in Basildon.

It is offering individual measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) inoculations ranging in price from £100 to £140 for a single dose. A combined MMR vaccine is available free from GPs.

Dr Arun Patel, the PCT's deputy director of public health, labelled the firm "profiteers" and said he would be reporting it.

He said: "We are concerned about a private company profiteering from parents who want to do their best for their child's health and will be asking the Essex Health Protection Unit to look at this issue."

Dr Patel said the triple dose vaccine was completely safe and suggestions of links to autism had been fully discredited.

Kathryn Durnford, the founder and managing director of Healthchoice UK, said in a prepared statement promoting the clinic it was all about giving parents choice.

She said: "Some parents clearly do not wish to have their children receive the triple MMR jab so it is important they have the choice of single vaccines so children are protected."

Despite this, Health-choice UK admits on its own website that medical experts prefer the combined treatment.

The site states: "Most doctors believe the MMR is a better and safer option than the single vaccines for your child and the population at large."

Dr Patel said under the single dose treatment, children would be required to have six jabs to complete their vaccination.

He urged parents to think carefully before choosing the single dose approach. He said: "To begin with there is not even a single dose mumps vaccine that is licensed for use in the UK and Europe.

"We do not know how safe and effective these vaccines will be."

Dr Patel said he was happy to personally speak to any parents concerned about vaccinations.

He can be contacted on 01277 302402.

Healthchoice UK will be back at Basildon in 12 weeks time.