Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• understand more of the scientific factors that relate to the dispute about the safety of the MMR vaccine in the UK

• assess the strength of arguments for and against the use of the MMR vaccine

• show how issues of risk, trust, communication and media representation of science and medicine have a strong bearing on public perception of the MMR vaccine

• explain why there is such a strong consensus amongst the medical profession testifying to the safety of the MMR vaccine.