Statement by the New York State Immunization Coalition in Response to ABC’s showing of Eli Stone
ALBANY, NY (02/01/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Immunization Coalition will work with parents, teachers, child care providers, public health officials and other community leaders to address and dispel any additional myths and fears about childhood immunizations that might be generated by ABC’s showing of Eli Stone Thursday evening.
Unfortunately, many people trust the health information presented on fictional television shows whether it is true or not.
The truth is:
- No mercury is used as a preservative in routinely offered childhood vaccines.
- No scientific link exists between vaccines and autism.
Vaccines are the single-most powerful, cost-effective public health intervention ever developed.
ABC’s decision to show a program that details and dramatizes untruths about childhood immunizations has the potential to undermine years of effort by the pediatric and public health community to persuade parents to vaccinate and protect their children.
The consequences of a decline in immunization rates could be devastating to the health of our nation’s children.
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American Academy of Pediatrics, District II, New York State
Elie Ward, Director of Policy & Advocacy, 518-441-4544, eward@aap.net
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