For Immediate Release
(North Haven, CT) – At its founding in 1792, the Connecticut State Medical Society stated its dedication to the “diffusion of science and knowledge of the healing arts.” More than two centuries later, as the wealth of medical knowledge has expanded far beyond anything the CSMS founding physicians could have imagined, CSMS remains a trusted source of information for patients and their families.
In the current environment of skepticism about the efficacy and safety of childhood immunizations, CSMS reaffirms its support for the childhood immunization schedule recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CSMS President Robert Russo, MD said, “As physicians, we have an obligation to protect the public health. Childhood immunizations are a critical component of public health and safety, and CSMS strongly supports CDC recommendations for childhood immunizations. This support bears repeating, as national anti-vaccination trends have led to outbreaks of pertussis[1] (whooping cough) and measles[2] , diseases we did not expect to see again in our lifetimes.”
While Connecticut’s childhood immunization rates have consistently been among the country’s highest,[3] the number of Connecticut parents requesting vaccine exemptions has grown exponentially in recent years.[4]
During the 2014 legislative session, CSMS joined colleagues from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to support a bill tightening rules for vaccine exemptions, which took effect in July of this year.[5]
As the American Academy of Pediatrics stated this week,[6]
Vaccines work, plain and simple. Vaccines are one of the safest, most effective and most important medical innovations of our time. Pediatricians partner with parents to provide what is best for their child, and what is best is for children to be fully vaccinated.
CSMS remains committed to raising awareness of the role vaccines play in protecting patient safety and public health.
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[1] http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/13/health/whooping-cough-california/index.html
[2] http://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html
[3] http://www.americashealthrankings.org/all/immunize
[4] http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Vaccine-preventable-illnesses-on-the-rise-5708184.php
[5] https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/act/pa/2015PA-00174-R00HB-06949-PA.htm
[6] https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Reiterates-Safety-and-Importance-of-Vaccines.aspx
