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Childhood Vaccines Save Lives, March Of Dimes Says
Urges Parents to Get Children Vaccinated, Despite Scare in ABC's "Eli Stone"
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.,
"The implication that vaccinations cause autism is irresponsible and counter productive," said
Seven former directors of the CDC — Jeffrey P. Koplan, M.D., MPH;
Although several carefully performed scientific studies have searched for a link between autism and the use of thimerosal in vaccines, no such link has been found. Nevertheless, since 2002, all routine childhood vaccines given in the
The March of Dimes says vaccinations are safe and effective in protecting unborn babies, newborns, children, and adults against very serious, life-threatening infections such as polio, whooping cough, and rubella (German measles). Before the development of vaccines, thousands of babies and children died or were seriously disabled every year from these diseases. Because immunization programs of the 20th century were so successful, many of today's young parents do not understand that the risk for these diseases to re-emerge is real,
For example, small outbreaks of rubella continue to occur in the U.S., and the potential for susceptible pregnant women to become infected continues to exist. Rubella is a mild childhood illness that poses a serious threat of birth defects to the fetus if the mother contracts the illness during pregnancy.
Public participation in immunization programs is critical to their success and effectiveness,
The March of Dimes Foundation supported research that led to the development of vaccines that have eliminated polio in the
Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by language, social, and behavioral abnormalities. Although no one really knows for certain, autism appears to be present at birth, even if it is not diagnosed until early childhood. Nevertheless, much about the disorder remains mysterious.
More information can be found online at:
— The March of Dimes: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/298_9087.asp
— U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
SOURCE March of Dimes
