An autism epidemic is taking hold in Ireland, and the Government is betraying parents by doing nothing about it, a coalition of parents' groups claims.
They said today the infant immunisation programme - particularly the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) three-in-one vaccine - is directly linked to a range of diseases, particularly autism and related conditions.
Ms Kathryn Sinnott, secretary of the HOPE Project, today described the recently published report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children on the matter as "a betrayal of parents and their children".
Ms Sinnott sued the State for failing to provide education for her 21-year-old autistic son Jamie but lost after a ruling in her favour was overturned on appeal.
"As good, loving and trusting parents, we brought our children for immunisation and witnessed the suffering and regression that followed. We turned to the medical profession for guidance and in most cases got none," she said, criticising successive ministers for health for inaction.
Green Party TD, Mr John Gormley, who was a member of the joint Oireachtas committee that compiled the report, Vaccination and Children, said the Department of Health and the medical establishment were afraid of the possibility of huge compensation claims if a link between vaccines and illnesses was established.
Mr Colm McCaffrey of the Informed Immunisation Network said the onus of proof had been unfairly placed on those who believe a link between immunisation and autism exists."There is no frontline research to show vaccination is safe for susceptible children," he said.
Ms Cecilia Young of Allergy Induced Autism, Dublin, said she could not get treatment for her autistic child in Ireland.
The groups said they were not against immunisation but called for a programme of screening before vaccination, criticising the "one-size-fits-all" government policy endorsed by the report.