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June 28, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"American Parents Accept the Vaccine"

London Times (www.the-times.co.uk) (06/28/02) P. 8; Watson, Roland

The MMR vaccine is mandatory in the United States for all children entering school, and only 12 states currently allow parents to opt out of the vaccine for their children due to religious or philosophical reasons. Unlike Britain, there is not much debate in the United States about the wisdom of having children take the MMR vaccine.  With few exceptions, parents go along with the recommendations, in part due to studies by the nation's most respected scientific bodies that have repeatedly concluded there is no link with autism.  U.S. children are likely to be barred from day-care centers or kindergarten without documented proof that they have received all required vaccinations, including MMR.  Kathleen Stratton, of the Institute of Medicine, which completed a recent study into MMR and autism, says "most parents, even if they could opt out, still choose to immunize.  Even if they are a bit wary most trust the medical community."

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