A HAMPSHIRE couple who refused to give their child the controversial MMR vaccine are convinced they did the right thing, despite the doctor who first raised safety fears about the jab changing his mind.

Sharon and Wayne Gooch opted to pay for the single measles, mumps and rubella inoculations for their daughter, Maddison last year.

They were worried by research that linked the triple vaccination to autism and bowel problems.

Dr Simon Murch was a member of the scientific team that first made the connection - but now he insists he has always supported the MMR.

Despite the U-turn, the Gooches, who are expecting their second child in May, say they would rather pay for the single mumps, measles and rubella than risk the combined jab.

Mrs Gooch, 26, of Verger Close, Titchfield, said: "Why would he have had the evidence to say it wasn't OK in the first place?

"I'm still waiting for the mumps vaccine for Maddison to come back into stock because it's so popular - a lot of people are having the single jabs.

"We had to pay for the single jabs, but we still felt it would be better than having the MMR."

She added: "Whatever's going on it's not going to change my mind. I think the government need to do a proper review with it - one minute it's safe, the next it's not."

Dr Murch now says he is concerned about the return of measles as parents shun the MMR.

Dr David Paynton, a Southampton GP and chair of the executive committee for Southampton City Primary Care Trust, has welcomed the news.

He said: "I think it will change people's minds over a period of time. Our uptake in the city is quite good - 83.9 per cent compared to the south-east region average of 79 per cent.

"But we need to get the figures up to 95 per cent if we are going to avoid a measles epidemic.

"The news just reinforces the reassurance people are being given that the MMR is safe. People who first thought it wasn't safe are saying they think it is, so that's really good news."