A DISTRAUGHT mum-of-two has told the Star of her anguish after discovering her 16-week-old baby had allegedly been given a mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine by mistake.

Joanne Hopwood (29), who lives in Birch Crescent, Newton, with her husband Ged and two young daughters is horrified at the potential effects of the injection.

The problems began last month when tiny Katie Emily Hopwood was due to have her third injection protecting against tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Meningitis C. Joanne took her baby to a clinic on the morning of Tuesday, May 8, where an injection was administered.

However, Joanne received a phone call later that day from a practice nurse asking her to come in the next day for what Joanne thought was a check-up on her own recent chest complaint.

But when she went in, Joanne was informed that Katie had allegedly been given the MMR injection which is recommended only for children aged between 12 and 15 months.

Joanne, told The Star: "When I was told the news I was speechless. To think my husband Ged was not even present to hear what had happened was unbelievable..

"Giving Katie this injection at such a young age could obviously have a number of side effects. I was terrified and I cried, could not eat, sleep or speak to anybody. My husband Ged has been very supportive but he too is shocked and very angry."

A spokesperson for St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority, told The Star: "Patient confidentiality means we are unable to comment on individual cases. However as with any complaint we receive, the details will be thoroughly investigated through the NHS formal complaints procedure."