Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13391
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Publication type: Journal Article
Parikh RK.
Fighting for the Reputation of Vaccines: Lessons From American Politics
Pediatrics 2008 Mar; 121:(3):621-622
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/121/3/621
Abstract:
Over the past decade, the reputation of childhood vaccines has been severely damaged. The latest blow came during a recent episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show,1 on which 2 celebrity mothers presented emotional stories about their autistic children and implicated the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in the cause of their illness. Their stories were told despite ample research that has long since debunked the original article by Wakefield et al2 from 1998 (which linked the vaccine and autism) and the fact that their original article was retracted by the journal (Lancet) that published it.
Nevertheless, attending a lecture at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ most recent national conference and exhibition at which the subject of vaccines came up, pediatricians from around the country shared story after story of parents who have refused shots on the basis of what they had seen on Oprah and elsewhere in the media.
I recall at least 2 parents in my practice who expressed concern and suspicion about vaccines, not just because of these mothers’ testimonials but also because of the response to it by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ms Winfrey read the CDC’s statement on air:
“CDC places a high priority on vaccine safety and the integrity and credibility of its vaccine safety research. This commitment not only stems from our scientific and medical dedication, it is also personal-for most of us who work at CDC are also parents and grandparents. And as such, we too, have high levels of personal interest and concern in the health and safety of children, families and communities. We simply don’t know . . .
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