The controversial vaccines By Hansa Bhargava
WebMD Medical Editor It seems that vaccines are in the news again. And sadly, misinformation about vaccines is being spread by surprising sources. At the GOP debate this week, presidential candidate Donald Trump reasserted his opinion that vaccines cause autism. If vaccines were spread out over a longer period of time, he said, “I think you’re going to see a big impact on autism .” Candidate Ben Carson, a surgeon, responded that while there is proof vaccines don’t cause autism, “we are probably giving way too many in too short a period of time.” The other doctor in the debate, Rand Paul, added, “Even if the science doesn’t say bunching them up is a problem, I ought to have the right to spread … my vaccines out a little bit at the very least.” The truth is: vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines actually protect children. The myth that vaccines cause autism has been around for many years. But the fact that there is overwhelming evidence that they don’t (and that the main doctor who put forth this study in 1998 had his license revoked) seems to be questioned by people who honestly have not made the effort to understand the evidence. What vaccines truly do is prevent serious illnesses in children. As a pediatrician, unfortunately, I have seen unvaccinated children get very sick because they are unprotected. I still remember the 5-month-old baby who came in with high fever and lethargy. His parents had chosen not to get vaccines. After several blood tests and a lumbar puncture (a test that uses a needle in the back of his spine), he was diagnosed with meningitis and admitted to the hospital. Another unvaccinated child who was 11 was diagnosed with whooping cough. Unfortunately this child also exposed her 6-week-old sibling at home — which was very dangerous, as infants can have severe breathing problems and even stop breathing if they get this disease. With the measles outbreaks in the past two years at amusement parks and other locations, parents are starting to better understand the consequences of not vaccinating children. Last year there were over 600 measles cases in the U.S., more than triple the number the year before. This year we’ve already had 5 outbreaks, according to the CDC. Meningitis, pneumonia, encephalitis and bacteremia are diseases that can cause serious harm and even death. Vaccines are our defense against these diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents over 64,000 pediatricians issued a strong statement Thursday. “Vaccines work, plain and simple. Vaccines are one of the safest, most effective and most important medical innovations of our time.” The AAP also noted, “There is no ‘alternative’ immunization schedule. Delaying vaccines only leaves a child at risk of disease for a longer period of time; it does not make vaccinating safer.” As a parent of two 9-year-olds myself, I understand the need to make sure our children are safe and out of harm’s way. But vaccines are one of the most important and effective ways to ensure our kids stay healthy. This is why my kids have been vaccinated, on the recommended schedule. As parents, let’s all make the right decision to protect our children. Get your kids vaccinated. SOURCE: http://blogs.webmd.com/breaking-news/2015/09/can-we-get-it-right-about-vaccines.html
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