Mother's autism fears despite debunked MMR theory
As the measles outbreak in Wales continues the false claims of a doctor 15-years-ago over the MMR vaccine have been blamed for the spread of the disease.
But despite the link being debunked in 2010 Karenza Cassidy remains convinced that the MMR vaccine led to her son's autism and consequently has not had her youngest child immunised.
Ms Cassidy claims that she witnessed the effects of autism on her third son Eddie in the wake of the MMR.
Eddie was 15-months-old when he had the MMR and was diagnosed with autism when he was two.
He is considered 'severely autistic' on the autism spectrum.
Because of her fears she stopped her youngest child Maddison, who is now 12, having the MMR jab. Both of her eldest children were vaccinated before Eddie and have not developed autism.
The claims that link MMR and autism have been widely discredited and Public Health Wales recommends parents have their children vaccinated with the MMR.
Background to the MMR 'scare'
Research published by the Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998 suggested a link between the triple vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella and autism.
Published in the respected Lancet medical journal, the report received widespread media attention and lead to a significant decline in children being given the MMR vaccine.
But concerns were raised when other scientists failed to recreate his results and the General Medical Council launched a review of the research.
The Sunday Times journalist Brian Deer exposed significant flaws in Dr Wakefield's research and ethical practices.
Following an extensive investigation in 2010, the General Medical Council struck Dr Wakefield off the medical register, describing him as "dishonest", "unethical" and "callous".