Medical professionals aired out their sentiments as Grand Old Party (GOP) presidential candidate Donald Trump and colleagues announce their vaccine claims in the Republican debate held Wednesday night, Sept. 16.
In the three-hour marathon debate held at the Reagan Presidential Library, Trump, together with neurosurgeon Ben Carson from the Duke University and ophthalmologist Rand Paul from University of Michigan, expressed their views against vaccination, which was disapproved by a committee of medical professionals.
Trump, in his statement, pointed out that autism has become epidemic, leading to a 25-35 year unbelievable shoot up. He claimed that he is in favor of immunization but only administered in smaller doses over extended periods.
Presidential candidate Ben Carson spoke next, sarcastically commenting that Trump is an "OK doctor." He expressed his agreement in Trump's recommendation of less but periodical vaccination, and added that in spite of evidence stating autism and vaccination are not linked, vaccines are probably being given too much. Carson was positive on his claim that pediatricians are rethinking of the issue.
Dr. Paul, who has a slightly different and relatively safer opinion, said that he does not agree with the recommended immunization schedule, but administering less vaccination on a safer time period.
With these statements, medical experts can't help but speak out.
CNN reporter and rehabilitation physician Ford Vox said that the thought of 20 million people believing in these men, especially the two medical professionals, makes him cringe. Although their medical specialities are not known to specialize in childhood vaccinations, their roles as physicians should have urged themselves to know better than support Trump's "medicine show."
American Council on Science and Health commented in an article that Trump is inaccurate and does not know anything, Carson is aware of the reality but is not courageous enough to speak out and lastly, Paul did not say anything but had too many words.
"There's not any evidence that a drawn out vaccine schedule is better for children," said Dr. Matthew Broom, who is a pediatrician at the Cardinal Glennon. "Other than probably clean water, vaccines have saved more lives than anything else in the entire world."
As a matter of fact, doing so may even place kids at risk, added the pediatrician, who among all the medical specialists, probably has the most knowledge and expertise in childhood vaccinations.
Photo: Gage Skidmore | Flickr
