Kristin Cavallari’s pregnancy sparks immunization debate again
Kristin Cavallari’s latest pregnancy announcement has once again placed the spotlight on the celebrity’s controversial anti-vaccination stance.
The former “The Hills” star and her husband, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, recently announced they are expecting their third child. Last year, the couple was criticized after revealing they do not vaccinate their children.
“There are very scary statistics out there regarding what is in vaccines and what they cause – asthma, allergies, ear infections, all kinds of things,” she told a celebrity magazine in 2014. “And we feel like we’re making the best decision for our kids.”
Health experts, meanwhile, continue to educate parents about the safety of vaccines, which are the best defense against serious diseases such as mumps, measles, diptheria and rubella.
Earlier this year when a measles outbreak was reported at Disneyland, Dr. Kerry Sheehan, a pediatrician at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., fielded more questions than usual from parents about vaccines.
“I discuss it with them and remind them that I believe vaccines are a safe product and very important for the health of their children,” says Dr. Sheehan about her approach to addressing the concerns of parents who have questions about the safety of vaccines.
Vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency posts vaccination schedules for children and adults on its website.
The Department of Health and Human Services recently teamed up with Sesame Street’s Elmo in a series of public service announcements promoting vaccines as safe and effective.
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About the Author
Lisa Parro, health enews contributor, is a content manager for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. A former journalist, Lisa has been in health care public relations since 2008 and has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She and her family live in Chicago’s western suburbs.
Wish they would trade him. Lousy,expensive quarterback. Then they could take their disease carrying kids somewhere else.
Good for them to make that decision for their children. Hopefully they have done their homework & know where to get the ” religious exemption” forms for when the children register for school .
I think its good that they made that decision for their children .I also believe vaccines are mainly for society & not always safe for every individual .
Cavallari and her husband are irresponsible twits. We’re not talking rocket scientists here. They’re probably science illiterate, as is a good part of the American public. The only way those two can justify not vaccinating their kids is if they plan to be hermits and seal themselves away from the rest of society. Otherwise, you live in a community, you dolts, and you owe that community your responsible behavior.
I suspect that neither you nor Cavallari know the real statistics, or you’d be more supportive. True, there’s always someone who will have a bad reaction to a vaccine — but those cases represent a minuscule percentage of people who are vaccinated, and the benefit to the entire community — including those doubtful individuals, who are NOT living on an island by themselves — outweighs the risk. The cost/benefit analysis of vaccination is overwhelmingly on the side of vaccination. Are you free to refuse? Sure. Then again, you’re also free to insist that the world is flat or to make stupid choices … but that doesn’t make you right, and I wouldn’t brag about it if you do.
Gina…they are not opting out of vaccines because of religious doctrine, so if they were to apply with that route then they would be breaking the law by lying on a state form. They are opting out because of misinformation and fear and while we live in a country that allows parents to make these decisions for their own children, which is a great thing, we have to realize the jeopardy that these kids and other kids are being subjected to. Obviously we don’t need to have the scientific debate here. That ship has sailed and every legitimate study across years and years of scrutiny has stated vaccines are the safest way to prevent these illnesses from affecting our population. 100% safe? No, let’s be honest nothing is that safe. 99.9% safe? Yes. And Yes I know that’s not the actual number, but I’m sure the real one is actually better for my case. The real issue we should now be focusing on is the ethical question of vaccinations in a society. Just the simple fact that your decision to place your own child into harm’s way, again totally legal here, and that also puts others who can’t receive vaccinations like immune compromised adults and kids, cancer treatment recipients, babies….it’s wrong. And while this great nation allows you to have control over your children’s medical care(again great thing) it also grants me the ability to call you out as being an inconsiderate “insert colorful word here” who I can avoid at every possibility because of your reckless behavior(also a great thing). Please get your kids vaccinated if you can! It’s better for your children, other’s children, and the health of our great nation.