AAP Initiates Public Relations Effort to Counter Bad Vaccine Publicity
National Autism Association Requests AAP Instead Focus on Removing Unnecessary Toxins From Vaccines and Providing Medical Treatments for Children with Autism

Chicago - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has initiated a “parent spokesperson” campaign to counter recent negative publicity surrounding toxins in vaccines, requesting parent vaccine proponents to conduct media interviews as “part of our ongoing response to media stories regarding autism and vaccines.”

The negative publicity stems from long-standing reports from thousands of parents that the mercury-based vaccine preservative thimerosal contributed to their children’s regressive autism. In 1999, the AAP issued a statement requesting the toxin be phased out of vaccines, but has since continued supporting its use as a preservative, even fighting against legislation in several states which would ban the poison from children’s vaccines.

Although the mercury content in many vaccines on the current schedule has been reduced to trace amounts, these trace amounts are not regulated by the FDA. Large doses of mercury still remain in some vaccines, including flu shots. Other highly toxic substances including aluminum remain as well.

Parent advocates for children’s health believe the AAP should direct their resources towards increasing the safety of vaccines, rather than damage-control media campaigns and attempts to censor fictional TV shows such as ABC’s “Eli Stone”. “Their resources are so valuable,” says Rita Shreffler, parent and Executive Director of NAA. “It is my hope that the AAP will stop defending the continued use of poison in vaccines and instead direct that energy towards implementing promising medical treatments that have thus far been denied to the vast number of children diagnosed with autism. In the last several years, we have come to know that improvement and even recovery from autism is possible when children receive appropriate medical attention, yet the AAP continues to dismiss these treatments.”

A growing body of scientific research including a Centers for Disease Control study from 2000 indicates a link between thimerosal exposure and several specific neurological injuries including autism. For years, Shreffler and her colleagues have requested the toxins be removed from all vaccines.

“If the AAP truly wants the best possible publicity for vaccines, they can start by discouraging the use of toxic components.”

For more information, visit www.nationalautism.org