Parents fearful of the effects of the controversial MMR vaccine got a chance to give their children separate jabs.

Up to 60 children from Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone and London had their separate vaccinations during a one-day clinic at Rowhill Grange Hotel, in Top Dartford Road, Wilmington, on Sunday.

It was the first such clinic to be held in the area. Parents paid £90 for the measles and rubella jabs and a further £140 for the mumps vaccination.

Kathryn Durnford, managing director of Healthchoice UK, which organised the clinic, said: "While there are still fears on the safety of the triple MMR jab, it is important parents have the choice of single vaccines."

The safety of single MMR jabs has been questioned following research suggesting it is linked with autism.

But the Department of Health denies the link.

The children will have the same vaccines injected into them as the triple MMR but by nine separate injections over a longer period of time instead of the single MMR administered in one go.

The Dartford-based company, in Admirals Park, Crossways, runs clinics which are open a day or two at a time in 16 locations across the country and provides information both for and against the controversial issue so parents can make their own decision.

Mrs Durnford, a medical and scientific officer in clinical biochemistry, said: "We are at epidemic levels of autism since the MMR jab was introduced. It's not unsafe for all children. It can be for a few but we don't know who they are."

But Dr Howard Stoate MP is concerned because the efficacy of the vaccines when injected separately has not been tested.

"The so-called evidence linking the single MMR vaccine to autism is not credible," he said. "I'm not saying the individual vaccines don't work. I'm just saying we don't have the same evidence we do for the single MMR."

A Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Care Trust spokesman said GPs and health visitors are available to discuss any concerns parents have about the MMR vaccine.