Public needs to know vaccines are safe, docs say

A new coalition of 22 major medical groups says public confidence in vaccine safety needs to be restored to avoid risks for deadly disease outbreaks.

Thursday's message comes from the Chicago-based American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and 20 more of the nation's most influential health-related groups.

Their concern stems partly from recent measles outbreaks in several cities that are the worst in a decade. About 131 children have been sickened, but that's more than three times higher than measles cases last year.

"The ongoing measles outbreaks in several states are testimony that those who forgo vaccinations are vulnerable to infection from imported disease, and can pose a significant health risk for their communities," said AMA board member Dr. Ardis Hoven, an infectious disease specialist.

Recent government data show that more than 77 percent of U.S. children aged 19 months to 35 months have gotten all their recommended shots. But the doctor groups say the data also show that about one-fourth of toddlers aren't properly immunized.

The alliance says public health officials need to counteract campaigns by advocacy groups who believe vaccines can cause autism, despite scientific evidence to the contrary.

"We do not want to become a nation of people who are vulnerable to diseases that are deadly or that can have serious complications, especially if those diseases can be prevented," Dr. Renee Jenkins, the American Academy of Pediatrics' president, said in a written statement.

The alliance suggests several ways to boost confidence in vaccines, including urging the government to create a public information campaign, and calling for more vaccine research.