A global scare sparked by the "discredited and inaccurate" claims of a doctor 15 years ago over the MMR vaccine have caused huge worry to parents in South Wales following a measles epidemic in the region, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.
Mr Hunt said Dr Andrew Wakefield's comments about the vaccination had "absolutely no scientific basis" as he urged parents of children who had not been given two doses to contact their local GP as soon as possible.
Mr Hunt told the Commons, "What Andrew Wakefield said had absolutely no scientific basis and has caused huge damage and huge worry to many thousands of parents".
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Credit: ITV News
"It is very important to reiterate that the scientific way to prevent measles, which can be a horrible, even fatal disease, is to make sure that you have had two doses of MMR", he continued.
"Parents of children who have not had those doses, parents of children of any age, should contact their GP if they have not had those two doses, particularly in the current circumstances".
Lewisham Hospital's A&E department under threat Credit: ITN
An unprecedented coalition of London residents, medical staff, trade unions and health campaigners has come together to raise the alarm regarding what they say is the biggest threat to A & Es,maternity units and in-hospital care for a generation.
ConcernedLondoners have lobbied MPs to highlight threats to the NHS in London which willinclude protests, pickets, rallies, demonstrations, candle lit vigils andmusical events.
Campaigners claim these threats include the closure of Lewisham Hospital's new A&E and maternity units, paediatric services and ICU announced last week by Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt.
They say the closest A&E at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich has lesser facilities,is financially unstable and is a two hour bus ride away for many residents.
It comes as Lewisham council threatened Mr Hunt with legal action and has also setup a Legal Challenge Fund to allow people in the community to contribute to the action.
SeveralPrimary Care Trusts are due to make their final recommendations throughoutFebruary after which their reports will go to Jeremy Hunt for a final decision.
Our reporter Paul Brand has been watching Jeremy Hunt's announcement on the future of Lewisham hospital with the campaigners who protested against the plans.
Campaigners laugh here as Hunt claims there was extensive public engagement over plans #Lewisham
Hunt 'confident' Olympics will be 'on time, on budget'
Two weeks before the Olympic Games and the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he is 'confident' that everything will be finished on time and on budget with a total cost of under nine billion pounds. He also revealed that in May, a contingency budget of £476 million remained unallocated.
Jeremy Hunt faces pressure over the BSkyB deal. Credit: PA
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who represents South West Surrey, insisted that he had acted with "total integrity" when he examined a deal to allow News Corporation to take over BSkyB. The MP has been called on to resign after allegations were made that he had secretly backed News Corporation's bid.
100 days to go: government comments on Syrian involvement in the Olympics
We don't intend to punish the athletes for the sins committed by their rulers and we think that sport should go beyond politics.
Britain has a view on human rights that is different from many countries across the world but I think the power of an event, such as the event we're having this summer where 204 countries come together in friendship, is actually one of the best engines for change.
