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>> FROM THE FIRST DAY OF LIFE, OUR CHILDREN DEPEND ON US TO
FEED AND CLOTHE, NURTURE, AND PROTECT THEM.
AND WE, IN TURN, DEPEND ON THE BEST ADVICE WE CAN FIND.
IN RECENT YEARS, CONCERNED PARENTS HAVE BEGUN TO RAISE
SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF VACCINES,
QUESTIONS THAT DESERVE EQUALLY SERIOUS ANSWERS.
>> MARY KATHERINE WAS BORN SOON AFTER A FRIEND OF MINE MENTIONED
THAT SHE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF VACCINATIONS.
SO WHILE I WAS INVESTIGATING AND TRYING TO FIND OUT IF SHE WAS
RIGHT ABOUT THIS AND PROBLEMS WITH VACCINES,
I DID NOT HAVE MARY KATHERINE VACCINATED.
>> AS A PARENT, WE WILL ALL WANT SO DESPERATELY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT,
WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN.
AND WITH REGARD TO VACCINES, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONFLICTING
INFORMATION OUT THERE.
>> DR. PAUL OFFIT IS THE CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
AND DIRECTOR OF THE VACCINE EDUCATION CENTER AT
THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA.
HE IS ALSO A PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND THE FATHER OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.
>> MY HOPE IS THAT BY TALKING TO PARENTS ABOUT VACCINES,
WHAT THEY ARE, HOW THEY WORK, AND I THINK HOW THEY CAN STILL MAKE
SUCH AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES,
THAT WE CAN TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF THE DISCUSSION AND FOCUS,
INSTEAD, ON THE FACTS.