As the anti-vaccine movement garnered Hollywood momentum, science stood largely silent. However, Dr. Paul Offit, inventor of the Rotavirus vaccine, took to the helm to fight for children's health and safety. Here's an informative conversation with a true expert in the field.....
Are we winning in educating the public on vaccines?
Dr. Offit: I think there is evidence that we are winning. Mainstream media has gotten much better at covering the vaccine story. You don't really see the two sides being presented where frankly only one side is supported by the science. I think we have to some extent moved from balanced to perspective on this issue.
I think there are 3 reasons we are winning:
- The data have matured— we have 17 studies showing MMR doesn't cause autism.
- The Measles 2015 outbreak that started at Disneyland theme park spreading from Southern California to 25 states. 189 children - mostly children - then spread up into 2 Canadian provinces involving a few hundred more people. That got people’s attention because sadly as much as we try to educate about vaccines, nothing educates like the virus.
- This is going to sound counterintuitive, but I think Andrew Wakefield has actually been good for science. It’s not just that he was wrong. He was fraudulent and wrong. People don't like a fraud. I think the anti-vaccine movement hooked to his star and as he came crashing down, at some level, they came crashing down with him.
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