Ref. 71216-04A SUPER vaccine to protect children from five diseases will soon hit GPs' surgeries.

The so-called "five-in-one" jab will vaccinate babies against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, haemophilus B hib which can cause a range of diseases, including meningitis and, for the first time, polio in just one shot.

But health campaigners and politicians have voiced concerns over its safety, fearing it could overload babies' delicate immune systems and lead to autism.

The new vaccine, which will be used from September, will replace the current four-in-one jab.

Currently, parents wanting protection against polio are offered oral vaccinations.

For years there has been talk of a possible link between autism and combined jabs.

This was strengthened a few weeks ago when US researchers suggested a mercury-based preservative, thiomersal used in the vaccine for whooping cough could be linked to the development of the condition.

The Department of Health has denied such a link exists, even though it confirmed last week that the new vaccine would not contain mercury.

Now Jabs Justice, Awareness and Basic Support a support group for the parents of vaccine-damaged children, have warned the Government that it is heading for a repeat of the row over the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab.

One study has found a link between this vaccination and autism, although the Government says there is no proof that MMR causes autism.

Swindon mum-of-three Sharon Ward, of Scarborough Road, Cheney Manor, is adamant the MMR jab was to blame for her son's autism.

Richard, four, was diagnosed with the condition aged two.

His sister Grace has never received the jab and Mrs Ward, 29, intends to keep it that way.

She said the new jab would not change her decision.

"I know that they have taken the mercury out but nobody knows if this new vaccine is really safe," she said.

She feels MMR may be one of the triggers in children predisposed to developing autism.

"One day my son was quite happily saying 'mummy' and 'daddy' the next he was very reserved and didn't want anyone near him," she said.

"Parents of autistic children, who have gone on to have more children are in a difficult position.

"I have been told that I must pay privately to have Grace vaccinated using separate jabs."

Jackie Fletcher, the founder of Jabs, is adamant that combined vaccines are not proved to be safe.

She said: "With five-in-one vaccines we would want to know what safety trials have taken place.

"How did they find out it was safe to do it in this combination?

"Increasing the combinations increases the potential for an adverse reaction and restricts the choice for parents."

Kevin Shoesmith