Resisters uninformed about need for vaccines

The past few weeks have proved that the past hysteria that MMR inoculations causes autism is still alive and well. I have seen parents on all three cable networks trying to explain their anti-vaccination stances with what sounds as uninformed or misinformed about the benefits for their own children, other kids and the general well-being of the public.

One theory floating around is that all those children from Guatemala last year brought the disease over our borders, yet UNICEF and Catholic Charities report that up to 93 percent of children from that country are vaccinated.

There are higher percentages of children vaccinated in places like Chad and Sudan than in Marin County, California.

These anti-vaxxers, as they are being called, probably do not know about or were not alive during the polio outbreak in the late '40s and early '50s. Children crippled for life, in iron lungs and deaths until a vaccine was created.

Wonder if these same parents have refused polio vaccines or flu shots too? Why would any parent put their child at risk for potentially life-threatening disease or other children for ignorant reasons.

Measles can cause inner ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis and even death. Why would any parent with an ounce of sense risk their child's health or life? And would these same parents rush their kids to an emergency room if the disease progressed to a more dire stage, or would they still deny the marvels or medicine and prevention of diseases and illness and let their children suffer?

Unfortunately, some of these parents have even questioned the drug companies and their motives. Sound a little nuts?

There should not be any question or hesitancy considering pediatricians all over the country highly recommend this for children.

Vicki Hilden

Arlington Heights