Autism test for double MMR boy

A five-year-old boy accidentally given a double dose of the controversial MMR vaccine is being tested for suspected autism, it emerged today.

The boy, who is not named at his mother's request, had the second jab in January after moving from Kendal, Cumbria, to another town in the south Lakeland area.

His new GP said there was no record of him having received the vaccine. But only days after being given the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab a second time, health officials rang his mother to tell her he had been given a double dose.

He had been "a boy without-a care in the world", but his mother said his behaviour changed " dramatically" after the second jab. He has tantrums and is violent.

Her son is now undergoing further tests to try to determine if he has developed the condition.

His parents are having to reconsider giving their other children an MMR booster.