"Parents Doubt Vaccine Safety" was the headline of a story from the October 30, 2000 USA Today.  This story stems from a study sponsored by the National Network for Immunization Information.  For this study, a phone survey of 1,600 expectant parents and parents of children age 6 and younger was conducted. The results of the study were released at the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in Chicago.

The results showed that 25% of parents are concerned that childrens immune systems could be weakened by too many vaccines, and nearly that many say that "children get more immunizations than are good for them."  Amazingly, a full 14% of the parents say they would opt out of at least one vaccine, if they were to have another child in the future.

Much of the public concern about this issue has been sparked by recent links between vaccines and autism or other childhood diseases. So strong is the evidence that Congressional hearings have been convened to focus on the issue.

Barbara Loe Fisher, of the National Vaccine Information Center responded by saying, "The rapidly rising number of vaccines required in recent years may be at least a factor in causing the huge increase in learning disabilities and diseases such as autism and asthma." 

This subject has been getting much needed press time lately. This included a Sunday, Nov. 12th, 2000 CBS special segment titled "MMR Vaccine and Autism" on their highly acclaimed TV show 60 Minutes.