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Industry ties to vaccine advocates raises skepticism
Heightened media attention to the financial ties between vaccine makers and the physician groups which advocate their use appears to be encouraging a growing number of parents to skip the jabs for their kids--at a cost. The CDC noted that a recent outbreak of measles, a disease eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, could be attributed to the lack of a vaccination in 63 of 64 cases.
The Wall Street Journal notes that a recent CBS report highlighted millions of dollars in manufacturers' grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is responsible for major immunization campaigns. Drug makers like Merck and Wyeth have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the organizations. The groups insist that they're not swayed by the money, which they say allows them to pursue the work they believe in. But evidently a growing segment of the U.S. population isn't persuaded.
- check out the report in the Wall Street Journal
- read the CBS story
Related Articles:
Many infants don't get vaccinations on time
Pediatricians get tough with vaccine doubters
Americans want doc payments disclosed
Comments
By AMA Board Member Samantha Rosman, M.D. | Posted 11:12am | August 1, 2008
Physician vaccine advocates, including the American Medical Association, are driven by our desire and responsibility to provide our patients with the best treatments backed by sound, scientific evidence. Vaccines are one of the best public health accomplishments of all time and have proven time and time again their ability to keep horrific diseases at bay.
Unsubstantiated myths about vaccine risks and conflicts of interest between industry and advocates lead increasing numbers of parents to choose not to vaccinate their children - placing them at risk for life-threatening diseases. Scientific data overwhelmingly shows that there is no connection between vaccines and autism. Autism is a heart-wrenching condition, and the upheaval felt by parents whose children suffer with autism is understandable – as is their search for answers. We absolutely need ongoing research into the causes of autism. However, we cannot let unfounded myths keep us from giving our children the proven protection they need against dangerous infectious diseases.
By AMA Board Member and Pediatrician Samantha Rosman, M.D.
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