It’s perhaps a luxury of our times that we no longer have to fear the ravages of polio, no longer have to lock children into iron lungs and metal braces.
It’s a relief not to have to sweat the mumps and measles. Thanks to the medical miracle of vaccination, these illnesses have all but vanished in America. There is, however a new fear infecting the world of children’s health: Many parents are concerned that vaccination itself is a public health hazard, that it may be causing autism, lupus, M-S and other problems.
Some suspect that the body’s natural defenses are being undermined by an overdose of “preventive care” and they’re delaying, even skipping, the most basic shots, which public health officials say could be a horrible mistake. They say the link between immunizations and illness just isn’t there.
(Hosted by John Donvan)
Guests:
Dr. Richard Johnston, Professor of Pediatrics at the Univesity of Colorado School of Medicine and member of the Immunization Safety Review Committee
Dr. Jerry Klein, Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Univeristy School of Medicine, former Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General.