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The report looked at parental attitudes to the MMR jab

Parents opposed to the combined measles, mumps and rubella inoculation were less worried about the illnesses than those who support the MMR jab.

Experts also confirmed that parents opposed to the vaccination were more concerned about an autism link.

Researchers carried out a study of 400 parents in the Dundee area last year.

Figures have shown that the take-up rate in Scotland for the MMR vaccination was lower than the 95% target.

The Stirling University study was aimed at helping researchers to understand parental attitudes and the reasons why some chose the free vaccination while others refused it.

The probe discovered that parents' decisions on whether or not to immunise were influenced by family members and new research has begun into the reasons.

Non-immunising parents were more likely to accept the proposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism Binder Kaur Stirling University

Leader of the university team, Binder Kaur, said: "Non-immunising parents admitted that they would be worried if their child developed measles or mumps and accepted their child was at a greater risk of developing the diseases than other children.

"But they did not perceive these diseases as serious as immunising parents believe them to be.

"Non-immunising parents were more likely to accept the proposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

"Surprisingly, they also thought that the vaccine and its effects were more dangerous for the child than contracting measles."

Mr Kaur said immunising parents had "more positive attitudes about the MMR vaccine".

He said: "Clearly, it is important that parents have access to as much information as possible regarding the seriousness and the consequences of their children developing the diseases measles, mumps and rubella."

Official figures in March suggested that by the end of 2004, more than 88% of infants had been given the triple injection - a 1.5% rise on 2003.

A study found that MMR was not linked to autism

But vaccination among two-year-olds born in the last three months of 2002 was 88% - 0.2% lower than the previous quarter.

A major study concluded last September that the vaccine was not linked to autism, rejecting previous research which claimed there was a connection.

Ninety-five per cent of children need to be immunised to ensure "herd immunity" and prevent outbreaks of measles, mumps or rubella, according to health officials.