Firstly, thank you to everyone who took part in our 2004 Immunisation Questionnaire. In total 372 people took the time to take part

The findings were as follows:

Of the 372, 310, over 83% had followed the recommended vaccination programme, as outlined by the Department of Health. 54% of respondents had children in 2-5 age bracket and 34% had children in 6-11 age bracket.

Of those who had followed the recommended vaccination programme only 10% expressed a ‘lot of concern’ regarding the merits of the childhood immunisation, programme while over 54% of those who had not followed the recommended programme expressed a ‘lot of concern’.

Interestingly, of the 17% who had not followed the immunisation programme, 58% had not had any of the 2-4 months injections, (Polio, DTwP, Hib, Men) while 67% had had the MMR injection at 13 months and 56% had also had the MMR pre school jab.

Overall there was a feeling that more information should be available about vaccinations, particularly the MMR vaccine. However, there were a variety of opinions as to where this ‘impartial’ information should come from.

57% of those respondents who followed the immunisation programme put their GP in either top or second place when asked about who they trusted for information. However, only 20% of those who did not follow the programme voted for their GP in top or second place. These respondents preferred to trust family/friends and above all ‘impartial’ sources. As one respondent put it: "I would trust any group or charitable organisation who has no pro or anti vaccination agenda."

86% of all respondents said they were either ‘quite’ or ‘very’ interested in an independent and impartial information service on vaccinations. However, only 22% said they would be prepared to pay a small (£10) charge for this service.

Overall, the survey surprisingly shows that many parents, in spite of recent controversy, are still following government guidelines on vaccination, while not necessarily trusting them as a source of information for making this decision.(only 6% put ‘politicians’ in their top 2 sources of trusted information on vaccinations).

Here are some of the detailed comments from parents:

"You feel guilty if you give it to them and just as guilty if you don't!"

"I don't understand why the government is dead set against us having the individual jabs, if it will increase parents having there children immunised then it must be a good thing."

"Very difficult to believe the government that vaccinations are safe after the deceit surrounding BSE. On reflection I felt that the benefits of the jabs outweighed the risks. I think it is very important that steps are taken to reassure parents. If people continue not to have the MMR jab, then they are risking not only their own child, but exposing babies too young to have the MMR to these deadly diseases."

"I knew a boy who died aged 15 due to having had measles as a baby. He was deaf, and the measles had left something behind that reactivated then slowly killed his brain. I believe that the risk of death from contracting the measles virus is higher than the risk of possible damage from the measles vaccination. I ensured that my children have had all the recommended vaccinations, so that I feel that I am protecting them as well as I can. Having said that, I would prefer it if the vaccines could be given singularly, so that there is less possible overload to the child's immune system, and if there are problems, it can be more easily seen which vaccine might be the culprit."

"I feel that the debate is skewed by loud voices, such as parents who are concerned that their children have reacted to jabs. The media does not give equal weight to the research backing up each side - they report more about problems than is warranted."

"The debate on vaccination hasn't really proved whether or not they are safe and in the end only serve to make parents more confused. The research is contradictory and we are left not knowing who to believe. The media is only heightening confusion and in the end many parents feel they are being demonised if they choose to either option."

"I think specialist advice needs to be made available to parents of children who have Autism before younger siblings are vaccinated."

"I personally felt that it was expected of me and that I was failing as a parent if I didn't get my child vaccinated.

"I am just as concerned about the number of children not being vaccinated. We had our son vaccinated partly because so many other children are not being vaccinated. Sooner or later there will be an outbreak of one of these diseases and we were more worried about serious harm as a result of the disease than we were about the vaccine."

"The ongoing "debates" regarding vaccinations cause worry and concern, as a parent it is difficult to make an "informed" choice due to the many "expert" points of view to be considered. basically for me it was to listen to all the information presented and make a decision. That decision however came with a huge "guilt package" of "what ifs...." ...and a lot of sleepless nights. No-one seems to take responsibility for their actions, your GP, health visitor etc, leaves the decision with you, we appear to be in a climate where everyone is scared to make a decision in case they get sued. if you ask your doctor what they would advise, they don't or can't. So.. like I said before, you just hope for the best.... Not good parenting!"

"My daughter had the MMR, my concern was not the normal one but that it is cultivated in egg and that my daughter has an egg allergy."

"The fact that even the prime minister would not confirm if his own children had had the MMR vaccine was an utter disgrace. I feel as if I chose to gamble with my children's' health over the whole issue of the MMR vaccine, particularly as my mother is a primary school teacher and has experienced first hand the possible results of MMR being linked to autism. This is something I feel dismayed about - that to suit government's purse strings we are forced to take a gamble."

"I am particularly concerned about the possible side effects of the MMR vaccine. I know that it is in my daughters interest to have her vaccinated, but feel very worried about any possible outcomes of my actions should I go ahead with the combined vaccine. Official bodies do not seem to understand the feelings of parents in such matters, and I feel as though the general public are never taken seriously on this issue."