The American Academy of Pediatrics has organized to write and send a letter to United States President Donald Trump, reiterating their support for the continued use of vaccines. The letter was signed by over 300 groups engaged in health and medical care. The pro-vaccine advocates are bent on meeting Trump so they could discuss their stand on the effectiveness and safety of vaccines.
It can be recalled that Trump recently met with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who known for his anti-vaccine stand. The president already showed his anti-vaccine leanings particularly his belief that there is a link between vaccines and autism.
In their letter, the vaccine advocates attested to the safety of vaccines when properly administered, according to The Hill. It added that delaying the administration of vaccines to children will leave them at risk of acquiring diseases. For them, vaccines are still the safest way of preventing disability and even death.
Trump has made anti-vaccine statements prior and during the campaign trail last year, as per Education Week. He signified that he is in favor of the use of vaccines but he wants them administered in small doses over time. Pro-vaccine advocates, however, got worried after Kennedy announced he would be chairing a vaccine safety commission to investigate its integrity scientifically.
The eradication of smallpox in 1977 was attributed to massive vaccinations all over the world, according to Daily Mail. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center showed the overwhelming support of Americans for the administration of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to public school children.
Despite the decline in specific diseases due to vaccines, the U.S. has not been exempted from disease outbreaks that could have been prevented by vaccination. Take for example the Disneyland measles outbreak in 2014.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reported 48,277 cases of whooping cough or pertussis in 2012, the most number of reported cases since 1955.
