FIP today issued a holding statement reaffirming the safety and importance of combination vaccines such as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

According to the World Health Organization, vaccines prevent up to 5 million deaths each year and have saved more than 150 million lives in the past five decades. Combination vaccines reduce the number of injections required, ensure timely coverage, and protect against multiple diseases at once.

FIP stressed that allegations linking MMR to autism have been scientifically refuted, and replacing combined vaccines with single-dose schedules would leave children vulnerable to preventable illnesses. Highlighting the resurgence of measles in countries with declining coverage, FIP urged parents and caregivers to rely on evidence-based advice from healthcare professionals, including pharmacists.

FIP reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening vaccine confidence, countering misinformation, and safeguarding decades of progress in immunisation.