AAP Initiates Public Relations Effort to Counter Bad Vaccine Publicity
National Autism Association Requests AAP Instead Focus on Removing
Unnecessary Toxins From Vaccines and Providing Medical Treatments for
Children with Autism

Chicago - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has initiated a 'parent
spokesperson' campaign to counter recent negative publicity surrounding
toxins in vaccines, requesting parent vaccine proponents to conduct media
interviews as part of our ongoing response to media stories regarding autism
and vaccines.

The negative publicity stems from long-standing reports from thousands of
parents that the mercury-based vaccine preservative thimerosal contributed
to their children?s regressive autism. In 1999, the AAP issued a statement
requesting the toxin be phased out of vaccines, but has since continued
supporting its use as a preservative, even fighting against legislation in
several states which would ban the poison from children's vaccines.

Although the mercury content in many vaccines on the current schedule has
been reduced to trace amounts, these trace amounts are not regulated by the
FDA. Large doses of mercury still remain in some vaccines, including flu
shots. Other highly toxic substances including aluminum remain as well.

Parent advocates for children's health believe the AAP should direct their
resources towards increasing the safety of vaccines, rather than
damage-control media campaigns and attempts to censor fictional TV shows
such as ABC's Eli Stone. Their resources are so valuable, says Rita
Shreffler, parent and Executive Director of NAA. It is my hope that the AAP
will stop defending the continued use of poison in vaccines and instead
direct that energy towards implementing promising medical treatments that
have thus far been denied to the vast number of children diagnosed with
autism. In the last several years, we have come to know that improvement and
even recovery from autism is possible when children receive appropriate
medical attention, yet the AAP continues to dismiss these treatments.

A growing body of scientific research including a Centers for Disease
Control study from 2000 indicates a link between thimerosal exposure and
several specific neurological injuries including autism. For years,
Shreffler and her colleagues have requested the toxins be removed from all
vaccines.

If the AAP truly wants the best possible publicity for vaccines, they can
start by discouraging the use of toxic components.

For more information, visit www.nationalautism.org.
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