British health experts have concluded that the vaccine used to inoculate children against mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) is safe and effective, calming fears in the medical community that it may be linked to bowel disorders and autism. An inquiry carried out by Dr. Anna Donald of Bazian Ltd., a medical research analysis company, reviewed over 2,000 MMR vaccine studies conducted on millions of children over the last 50 years.

The British Medical Association ordered the review after the number of British 2-year-olds receiving the vaccination dropped to under 84 percent. Experts say a 95 percent inoculation rate is needed to ensure measles will not return. British health officials hope the new data will ease concerns among parents, many of who still doubt the vaccine's reliability. A spokesperson for Jabs, a support group for parents who believe their children's autism is directly linked to the MMR vaccine, said new research is needed instead of analysis of old data.