The life-saving MMR vaccine does not lead to autism, researchers have once again confirmed.
Anti-vaxxers have peddled the dangerous myth for almost 25 years, after a now debunked study suggested there was a link between the two.
But scientists have once again shot the controversial theory in the foot, by analysing data from more than 650,000 children given the jab.
The findings, by Danish experts, come amid soaring rates of measles across the world, with cases spiking by 50 per cent in the space of a year.
Andrew Wakefield, the now-disgraced doctor who led a retracted 1995 study that wrongly linked the MMR jab to autism, has reportedly been with supermodel Elle Macpherson, 51, for over a year and is said to be 'infatuated' with her
MMR protects against measles – a highly contagious viral infection which can prove deadly – as well as mumps and rubella.
The number of children in the UK having MMR vaccinations – which are given free by the NHS in the UK – has been falling for years.
The World Health Organization has already this year declared anti-vaxxers as one of the top 10 threats to global health, alongside pollution and climate change.
Researchers at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen looked at every child born in Denmark to Danish-born mothers between 1999 and 2000.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads easily from an injected person by coughing, sneezing or even just breathing.
Symptoms develop between six and 19 days after infection, and include a runny nose, cough, sore eyes, a fever and a rash.
The rash appears as red and blotchy marks on the hairline that travel down over several days, turning brown and eventually fading.
Some children complain of disliking bright lights or develop white spots with red backgrounds on their tongue.
In one in 15 cases, measles can cause life-threatening complications including pneumonia, convulsions and encephalitis.
Dr Ava Easton, chief executive of the Encephalitis Society told MailOnline: 'Measles can be very serious.
'[It] can cause encephalitis which is inflammation of the brain.
'Encephalitis can result in death or disability.'
Treatment focuses on staying hydrated, resting and taking painkillers, if necessary.
Measles can be prevented by receiving two vaccinations, the first at 13 months old and the second at three years and four months to five years old.
Source: Great Ormond Street Hospital
Ukraine saw 30,000 more cases of measles in 2018 than it did in 2017, while Brazil had more than 10,000 people diagnosed compared with none at all the year before
In hope of spelling an end to the autism fears, they wanted to prove whether or not the MMR vaccine does increase the risk for the spectrum disorder in children.
The children were followed-up age one and until 2013 – when some of the youngsters in the study were 14.
Vaccinations for various unpleasant and deadly diseases are given free on the NHS to children and teenagers.
Here is a list of all the jabs someone should have by the age of 18 to make sure they and others across the country are protected:
Eight weeks old
6-in-1 vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B. Pneumococcal (PCV) Rotavirus Meningitis B12 weeks old
Second doses of 6-in-1 and Rotavirus16 weeks old
Third dose of 6-in-1 Second doses of PCV and men. BOne year old
Hib/meningitis C Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Third dose of PCV and meningitis BTwo to eight years old
Annual children's flu vaccineThree years, four months old
Second dose of MMR 4-in-1 pre-school booster for diptheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough12-13 years old (girls)
HPV (two doses within a year)14 years old
3-in-1 teenage booster for diptheria, tetanus and polio MenACWYSource: NHS Choices
Around one per cent of the children went on to develop autism, which affects social interaction,
