News: Vaccination Report

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on September 4th showing that childhood immunization rates were at "near record levels." Public health officials were worried that parents had become fearful of vaccinations as concerns were raised about the connection between vaccinations and autism. The FDA released a health information pamphlet to promote the benefits of childhood vaccinations and to address concerns parents might have. The CDC also addressed concerns over the link between vaccinations containing thimerosal and autism in a report by Dr. Paul Offit. Dr. Offit cites four large medical studies that compared the rate of autism in children who received vaccines containing thimerosal to those who received vaccines without thimerosal. The rate of autism was the same in both groups.

Public health officials feel that their immunization programs have been successful, with 77% of children being fully vaccinated by all of the recommended vaccines. Less than 1 percent of children received no vaccinations.

The CDC's report can be found here.