A £90,000 compensation payout to parents whose son suffered severe brain damage after being given the MMR vaccine could lead to other claims being made.

A medical assessment panel awarded the payout to Jackie and John Fletcher, from Warrington, after concluding their son was left severely disabled by the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.

Robert, now 18, has frequent epileptic fits, is unable to talk, stand unaided or feed himself, but is not autistic.

The family successfully appealed after their application for compensation under the Government’s Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme was originally turned down in 1997.

Mrs Fletcher, who runs the pressure group JABS, Justice Awareness and Basic Support, said over the weekend: “My husband and I have battled 18 years for the cause of Robert’s disability to be officially recognised.”

She said Robert was a perfectly healthy child before his MMR vaccination. Then 10 days after the injection, the 13-month-old suddenly became ill, suffering fever-related fits which left his two older brothers hysterical with fear. At the hospital, Jackie told the consultant paediatrician of her concern about a link with the vaccination, as the onset of side effects are expected within six to 10 days. But her worries were dismissed, and the fits explained as febrile convulsions possibly emanating from an ear infection.

Campaigners are hoping the payment will pave the way for other parents who suspected their child had been affected by MMR to have their cases looked into.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “This decision reflects the opinion of a tribunal on the specific facts of the case and they were clear that it should not be seen as a precedent for any other case.