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August 28, 2008
Experts say clusters of unvaccinated children are cause for alarm
The Chicago Tribune (8/26, Shelton, Williams-Harris) reported that although numerous studies have "found no link between vaccinations and autism," some experts "note that autism tends to emerge at the same age children receive their shots, leading to a false sense of cause and effect."
And, some parents narratives about their children's experiences with vaccines spread "so easily...online, that pediatricians say they are spending unprecedented time answering questions about vaccinations, from mercury fears to concerns over the increasingly intense schedule of shots."
In addition, "parental suspicion is now so high that public health officials fear it could undermine one of the most important advances in medical history," that is, herd immunity. For instance, "last week, federal officials reported that measles cases in the U.S. have reached their highest level in more than a decade, with nearly half of the cases involving children of parents who opted against vaccination."
While "immunization rates overall remain high," a number of health officials contend that "clusters of unvaccinated children are cause for alarm."
Related Links:
- "Kids' vaccinations face risky resistance," Deborah L. Shelton and Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, August 26, 2008.
Posted by admin at August 28, 2008 10:39 AM