Friday, August 11, 2017

Are Vaccines Safe? Do They Cause Autism?

Author: Emily Ashworth, RN, BSN

With: Bertrand J. Foch, MD, Region 5 (Lake Charles) Medical Director, Office of Public Health

This article originally appeared in the August 2017 issue of the Voice of Southwest Louisiana. OPH’s Dr. Foch was the key contributor. The publication also included a counterpoint article that suggested vaccines caused autism. This is a myth that never seems to go away even in the face of numerous studies have found no evidence to support this belief. This has resulted in a growing number of parents who are refusing to vaccinate their children. Visit publichealth.org for more information about the myths that have potential to cast doubt on vaccines as one of the pillars of modern medicine.

As we gear up to send our children back to school, one of the items to check off the list is making sure the shot record is up-to-date.  Have you ever asked yourself, “Should I vaccinate my child?  Will they get sick?  Will they develop autism?”  Take a few minutes and explore these questions with me.