FameCrawler

Save me from uniformed stupid celebrities with megaphones.

Good for them! Her son is adorable and I hope she raises more awareness about autism.  

Jenny McCarthy should be muzzled.  There is no scientific proof, none, nada, nothing that vaccines cause autism.  Yes it's very sad that her son has autism and awareness about the disease is good but how about providing documented testing results?

Can I add more when gnahanoj said it first and best? I think not.

Unless you have a child damaged by vaccines and/or have read extensively on the subject (other than just the propaganda put out by the government via main stream media), it seems hardly fair to call these parents ignorant.  Actually they are the educated and informed ones.  

My son has autism. Have you seen pictures of the diseases that the vaccines prevents? I'll keep lining my kids up for their shots.

They aren't advocating for an end to vaccines but rather to change the vaccines we're putting into our children's tiny bodies for the better.  

Why would any parent be against making things better for our children?

Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey are doing the "I'm not anti-vaccines, but..." sidestep.

Don't be fooled by people who proclaim that they're "not anti-vaccines," right before they start pontificating about their woefully misinformed beliefs that vaccines are unsafe, toxic, don't really prevent disease, cause autism, etc.

Don't be fooled by celebrity endorsements, nonsensical yet trendy slogans ("Green Our Vaccines") and politically correct rhetoric -- such as the "I'm not anti-vaccines, but..." dance -- the intent of this "Green Our Vaccines" anti-vaccination protest is quite clear.

There is no such thing as a "green" vaccine. The notion of "greening" vaccines is just a more palatable anti-vaccination message, a way for the anti-vaccination movement to attract a larger, more "mainstream" audience.

This "Green Our Vaccines" rally, was originally supposed to take place in front of the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, but was quite obviously moved from Atlanta to Washington, DC so that its anti-vaccine message might appear less conspicuous.

Anti-vaccination activists want to get people thinking about the trace amounts of scary-sounding ingredients in vaccines (all of which are needed to make vaccines safe and effective), in the hope that this sort of scientifically unfounded, out-of-context, and patently ridiculous fear mongering will cause credulous souls to read more anti-vaccination literature, which is supposed to convince them to eventually reject all vaccines.

Those of us who understand and appreciate that there could be more outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases as the direct result of anti-vaccination activist lies, can only hope that other parents will also see right through the rather transparent facade of "Green Our Vaccines."

FTR, I have 4 children, all fully vaccinated, 2 are autistic.

This first signs of autism usually become apparent in early childhood, when most kids are getting their vaccines. This is the origin of the urban myth that vaccines are somehow connected to autism.

please, for those that think they know better;

Google: Government Concedes Vaccine-Autism Case in Federal Court - Now What?

So someone brought up the Poling case.

Despite the hyperbole, there was no concession that vaccines cause autism, but that the vaccinations the child received significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder.

That's not a case of vaccines causing autism, but something else entirely with "features" of ASD. This is the very likely reason why this case was not included in the Autism Omnibus.

Folks, I have 2 autistic kids, aged 9 1/2 and 6, so I've been at this for awhile.

The vaccine "controversy" (it is not a scientific one as scientists agree that vaccines do not cause autism), and quack "cures" which are based upon anti-vaccination pseudoscience, are very appealing to parents of young, recently diagnosed, autistic children.

But eventually, most parents of autistic children abandon these notions in favor of a more realistic approach -- and we're really getting sick and tired of this anti-vaccination, anti-science nonsense that is making all parents of autistic children look like a bunch of kooks.

Ms. McCarthy's son is only 6. It will be interesting to see what her outlook will be when her son is 9 or 10 years old.      

I attended the rally--which to be clear was NOT anti-vaccine, but a march for fewer vaccines spread out over time and/or delayed. (Have any of you looked at the "recommended list" lately. Jenny spoke a very short period of time and mostly thanked parents of autistic children of all the hard work, dedication, and financial burden they endure getting realistic therapies and treatment--that do work. No one there was promising recovery or promoting an anti-vaccine agenda. Several doctors also attended and referred to solid studies that have been done that demonstrate a clear immunology impact with early and aggressive vaccinations with and in children who have a genetic pre-disposition for a slower developing immunological function. Many of your responses are at the sound-bite the media presents. I agree, Jenny and Jim were not the focus of the rally, march, or the point being made. As a parent of an 8 year old autistic son, it was life-changing event to see similar parents stand together and call for reform in the vaccination schedule.

As a strong supporter of the Green Our Vaccine movement and as someone who was present at the rally, I must make a few things clear.  Anti-toxin does not equate with anti-vaccine.  Spreading out the time between vaccinations does not mean "don't get your kids vaccinated".  Much of the argument supporting this movement spawns from the chemicals and toxic amounts of each chemical received from the vaccines ("toxic" amounts based on FDA standards).  While the association between vaccines and autism have not been proven, it is important for all of you to understand it has not been disproven.  A lot of people across these boards continue to make the assumption from whatever reports you've read that it has been PROVEN that there is no link...tests results are careful with the wording and often use the phrase that results "show no evidence of harm" or "no evidence of association", far different statements than "there is no link".

For those of you who think that vaccines have NOTHING to do with Autism ~ how do you know?  It hasn't been proven either way.  They may not be "THE" CAUSE, but, they may be a "TRIGGER" for some kids who may already be susceptible to having or getting Autism.  I'm sorry that you've lost hope for any more understanding of this, but for heavens sake,  let the rest of do what we can to come to a better understanding and gain more knowledge so that a cure and prevention of Autism can become a reality!  

You know....I certainly can't comment with such big words as some of these other parents, but I also attended the rally, and it really saddens me to read the responses that some of you are writing to what was supposed to be a positive public appearance. You look at Jenny and Jim as celebrities commenting on issues that they have no business involving themselves in (i.e.-Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, etc.) when in reality, it is a case of a Mom who just happens to BE a celebrity who is using her notoriety to spread an important message. I'm shocked to see the responses of people such as Ms.Toigo above, and it amazes me that ANY mother would scoff at people who are trying to protect life and improve the health of children. Please tell me the disadvantages of removing unsafe ingredients from vaccines? We're a very technologically evolved society...you can't tell me that scientists who develop vaccines can't develop a safer way to do it. It just all comes down to money. Now, I'm sure some of you, including Ms.Toigo may try to blast me out of the water, but I am a Dad of a family that has been wrecked by this madness, whatever you want to call it, so I am biased to my point, but as far as scientific proof....my proof is in his bed asleep right now...when your child changes almost overnight in front of your eyes...you stop wondering what happenned and simply connect the dots. It makes the issue pretty clear.

I, too, was at the rally and want to emphasize that the rally was *not* anti-vaccine.  We want safer vaccines and safer vaccination schedules.  Doctors have put together alternative vaccination schedules for this very purpose-- so that parents can have their child vaccinated without overloading the child's system.  

I must disagree with Ms. Toigo's comment about "quack cures."  I have a Master's in Special Education, and I have been working with people who have autism for eight years now.  I work closely with a child who is being treated biomedically, and this child's symptoms are clearly lessening.  It's amazing, beautiful, and hopeful.  I know two other children who are also being treated biomedically, and they too are doing so much better.  I have *never* seen this happen to people with autism who were not being treated biomedically.

Ms. Toigo also commented that, "Jenny McCarthy's son is only six.  It will be interesting to see what her outlook will be when her son is 9 or 10 years old."  Jenny McCarthy's son receives biomedical treatment, and has made incredible improvements.  I expect that, as her little boy gets older, her outlook will be the same, as her son continues to get better.

Thank you, Jim and Jenny.  

My son has taught me the true meaning of love.  It has been a difficult road financially, physically, mentally, and even spiritually.  I am a very grateful mom who appreciates you taking the time to be a voice for me.

It's always interesting to me when people accuse those who want safer vaccines of being anti-vaccine in an effort to make this a black and white issue which requires little thinking. I know for sure that there are many, many MDs who are struggling, as are parents, with the benefits vs the risks of vaccines. There is PLENTY of evidence that vaccines can and do seriously injure some kids. Just google it and see how many CREDIBLE arguments there are out there. Read all the studies, not just one side of it. While you're at it, ask yourself what the motives of pro-safety folks are vs the motives of the CDC and pharmaceutical companies. Read the transcripts of the CDC's secret Simpsonwood retreat. Then decide for yourself what you should do next at this pt in history.

I do not even understand why this is a debate. People are rallying for the safety of the future of our children. It is out of love for children. How can that be so bad? If there is stuff in the vaccines that shouldnt be in there then take it out and spread the vaccines out. Its a no brainer. I am a mother of 2 with autism. I am pro vaccines.

If Autism is not caused by vaccines then why did my 15 month old son got lost in his own world after the MMR shot? Why did he spend 4 days in the hospital with a fever that would never go away and the doctors did not know the cause.He was injected with dead babies cells ( composition of the MMR vaccine), with viruses and anti freeze. I support the green our vaccines 100% and an act like that can only do good to our kids. My son is now 4 years old and is being treated with the biomedical approach. I can only see gains.

Green our vaccines!

I live in Sweden where the autism/vaccine debate was stamped out for good about six years ago. I'm just glad the debate's still alive in Britain and the US. There has been the same kind of drastic increase in the number of autistic children in Sweden but here nobody is asking why. Due to long-term biomedical treatment my autistic kid has certainly become much more of the person he would have been. This is a fantastic initiative by two famous people who have a lot to lose, but are using their fame for something meaningful and important.    

Spencer Brassard writes, "I'm shocked to see the responses of people such as Ms.Toigo above, and it amazes me that ANY mother would scoff at people who are trying to protect life and improve the health of children."

Anti-vaccination activists, like Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey and other participants in the "Green Our Vaccines" protest, are doing exactly that, scoffing at people who are trying to protect life, and improve the health of children with vaccines.

Vaccines save lives. Tens of millions of vaccines are given to children every year. Out of those tens of millions of vaccinations, fewer than 10 will cause serious adverse reactions that will result in permanent disability or death, which means that vaccines are 99.99% safe.

Vaccine-preventable diseases are significantly less than 99.99% safe.

It amazes me that ANY parents would fear vaccines more than the deadly and debilitating diseases they prevent.

Having seen the rally first hand and the moving sight of parents and autistic children trying to --as Jenny McCarthy explained -- prevent anyone else from joining their club, I find it curious for the parents of autistic children who attack these efforts to improve safety of vaccines.

Parents like Margaret who are so quick to dismiss the complexity of the cause of autism that can include vaccine-induced triggers must need to be so closed minded as a coping strategy to suppress their own pain and guilt for their children's suffering.

Vaccines can and do DAMAGE children.  Japan wisely stopped vaccinating children till after age 2 and guess what?  Their rate of autism PLUMMETED.  Thats right..after huge increases in their country that exactly matched the rise in vaccine schedules they realized DUH THE VACCINES are damaging our CHILDREN and by just delaying the vaccines until the kids immune system had matured they were able to cut their rates of autism.  WE are doing this to children.  Thats what a stupid society we are.  In the name of 'protecting' the children we poison them.  Idiocy.  My doc has 5 kids.  The 5th one he is giving NO vaccines.  He said the evidence is just overwhelming now and vaccines dont even work in many cases so you have not much upside and downside potential of damage.  With his other kids he specifically did only certain vaccines where the thought the risk of the disease was so horrible the risk of the vaccine was worth it.  The vaccine companies just want to sell vaccines.  You know this when they come out with vaccines for things like chicken pox that is really no big deal if you get it as a kid.  Why risk damage from vaccine instead of just getting the chicken pox for 5-7 days and you have FREE life long immunity and much less risk of problems than from getting the vaccine.  THINK PEOPLE THINK!

i wont go there with the vaccine/autism issue, but can someone please tell me why so many bloggers go to starbucks of all coffee shops?! read, "starbucked" and get back to me. seriously.

Japan saw rising rates of autism despite withdrawing the MMR vaccine.

www.newscientist.com/article.ns

Vaccines do NOT contain anti-freeze.  Chemistry is a tough subject, but Carrey and McCarthy have been corrected before on this issue.

www.sciencebasedmedicine.org

Adults can actually die from chicken pox, and it can lead to having shingles.  In 1992, 100 people died from chickenpox.  What's the harm, right?

www.909shot.com/.../chickenpox%20facts.htm

ms. toigo I'm curious...do u think people are pretending to want vaccine safety but really just want to talk people into putting their kids at risk for no reason? do u see how nonsensical that sounds? jenny and jim don't need this cause to be famous, docs who do biomed don't need to take this approach to make money, and parents raising questions aren't doing it for themselves. our kids already have autism. there's not much in it for us...we speak up for others' sake. if you can't say thanks at least make a logical argument.

Taken from Jenny McCarthy's (now disabled) "Indigo Moms" website circa 2006:

"You know that your child is different – from day one! But all Moms think their children are special, so most just live with their Indigo children without knowing much about it. The “Aha” experience is incredible, and the sooner you stumble upon it, the better for your child and you. Indigo children, who are either “Indigo” or “Crystal” (I will talk about that difference later), are both from a “New Generation” or “New Age” of children. These children are special in that they are the new leaders of the future. These children are born after 1980. Indigos exist everywhere in the world (documented in the US, Europe, China and other countries) - it is an inter-cultural phenomena.

The term "Indigo Child" originated from Nancy Ann Tappe, who classified people's personalities according to the hue of their auras. According to Tappe, Indigos are extremely bright, precocious children with an amazing memory and a strong desire to live instinctively. These children of the next millennium are sensitive, gifted souls with an evolved consciousness who have come here to help change the vibrations of our lives and create one land, one globe and one species. They are our bridge to the future."

McCarthy has no business in scientific discussions..

i think that is awesome that there spreading awarness about autism my son was just diagnosed with autism and hes 3 years old. Its begging to worry me about the whole vacination thing im researching it as well.

I personally think the indigo child stuff is hogwash.

I can assure you that those I have studied vaccinations with who question the safety and public health benefit of the existing schedule are physicians, research scientists, social scientists, and even former vaccine creators.

You can dismiss Jenny McCarthy's scientific credentials all you want.

I have yet to meet a physician who has studied vaccines seriously and critically on their own doing who hasn't chosen their own selective and delayed schedule.

Cathy, someone definitely needs to be Muzzled but it's not Jenny. If you would even research for a few minutes you will realize what a sheep you have been by abiding by our capitalistic government mandates and see that at least Jenny and Jim are doing more than their share in bringing this long standing tragedy to the public. Read the statistics, in 86 government mandated 10 inoculations and Autism rates were 1 in 10000 now some 27 inoculations are mandated and Autism rates are 1 in 160... Frightening... Pull your head out of the sand and read...

For all you who seem to know everything there is about the green our vaccines rally and everything there is to know about the actual vaccinations, please shut up and go to google and research the Simpsonwood Memos and then tell me you think the same way. Yes the vaccines are tested on Makaks but they are only tested one vaccine at a time. How about the times that they give a cocktail of a vaccine to little children. Anywhere from 3 to 5 shots mixed together. And why do they give a 25 pound child the same dose they would give me a 300 pound adult. Does this really make sense to you. Ms Toigo you are very rude and ignorant. I hope someday I don't have to stoop to such a low level to get attenion. Get a Life and before you blast everyone supporting a good cause, get your S**T IN ORDER cause we are very well educated and you better believe me that we will steamroll you with the facts. Thanks

Who is the voice for all of the children that die from vaccine-preventable disease every day?  I cannot get over how much media attention this raises, when so little media is given to those that die or suffer severe and permanent consequences because their parents chose not to vaccinate.  

The reason why there is so little attention is because the number is so much smaller than those children who die after receiving vaccines in this country. In either case, these numbers are very few and equally tragic, but I suggest looking at this CDC report to see how few cases and deaths there are in the US.

www.cdc.gov/.../cases&deaths.pdf

Just remember you really can't assume the that all the cases are children nor that all the cases are of children or adults who were unvaccinated.

Pertussis is known to be be one of the least effective vaccines with an efficacy rate estimated between 50% and 70%, and it DOES NOT prevent transmission from person to person, like the MMR, for example.

For all of the discussion, the pros, the cons... if it happened to someone you love, wouldn't you do all you could to make sure that it didn't happen to someone else?

The medical community is only "PRACTICING".  I for one, do not appreciate making my child a guinea pig by State Child Immunization Laws.  Only through diligent therapy and treatment has there been developmental progress with my child who has Asperger's Syndrome a form of autism. We were luckier than most.  First do no harm...