New research into the efficacy of combined vaccinations suggests that the trend for combining jabs may be leaving UK children unprotected against disease. Researchers from the Oxford Vaccines Group at Oxford University found that there was no way of telling which combinations of vaccines worked and which didn't until tests were conducted.

240 children in Oxford and Gloucester took part in the survey. Half were given a new combined vaccine for pneumococcal disease and meningitis C and the other a single meningitis C jab. those given the jab combining the two vaccines had lower immunity against meningitis C than those who received the single jab.

The study is not suggesting that the combined MMR vaccine has any problems. Head researcher Jim Buttery explained; 'MMR vaccine has been checked to make sure each component is immunogenic [produces the required level of immunity] including the form used in the UK.' However it does throw doubt on the effectiveness of the whooping cough and Hib meningitis combined vaccination.

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