Dr Troup defended the policy of giving children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.

BBC: Measles outbreak feared

The new combined vaccine, Hepatyrix, is marketed by SmithKline Beecham.

BBC: Combined jab launched for holidaymakers

The combined whooping cough vaccine adds four more diseases against which protection is being offered to the newborn child via its mother.

BBC: Whooping cough vaccine a 'no-brainer' during pregnancy

The world's first combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine is launched in the UK on Monday.

BBC: Combined jab launched for holidaymakers

She is calling for parents to have the option of choosing a single measles vaccine instead of the combined MMR jab.

BBC: Measles outbreak warning

The US has been offering a combined whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria vaccine to pregnant women for the past 18 months.

BBC: Whooping cough vaccine a 'no-brainer' during pregnancy

And officials are emphasising that there is no evidence to suggest that the single measles vaccine is any safer than the combined MMR.

BBC: Swansea measles: Clinic quizzed over single jab claims

Merck's other bit of good tidings this week was that its AIDS vaccine seems to work better when combined with another HIV inoculation form Aventis (nyse: AVE - news - people ).

FORBES: For Merck, Steps In The Right Direction

The origins of autism are still controversial, with a small number of scientists suspicious about the role of a combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, usually given at approximately 16 months of age.

BBC: Possible autism test for newborns

The ruling came from a panel of "special masters" who began hearing three test cases in 2007 involving children with autism -- a disorder that their parents contend was triggered by the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella combined with vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative.

CNN: Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules