Bachmann Comments Create Debate

After the Republican debates recently, Michelle Bachmann stated that a mother approached her and said that her daughter took a vaccine that caused her to have a mental challenge.  Bachmann stated that because of this claim the medicine has harmful side effects.  The physically/mentally challenged community is irritated by these claims.

“Congresswoman Bachmann’s decision to spread fear of vaccines is dangerous and irresponsible,” Evan Siegfried of the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership told Politico. “There is zero credible scientific evidence that vaccines cause mental retardation or autism. She should cease trying to foment fear in order to advance her political agenda.”

Some agencies in the physically/mentally challenged community also feel Bachmann’s comments aren’t validated.  Bachmann isn’t the first politician to mention a connection between vaccines and physical/mental challenges.   Many politicians and people as well feel that vaccines can cause autism despite conflicting evidence.

The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t support Bachmann’s statements.   “The American Academy of Pediatrics would like to correct false statements made in the Republican presidential campaign that HPV vaccine is dangerous and can cause mental retardation,” the organization’s president O. Marion Burton said in a statement on Tuesday. “There is absolutely no scientific validity to this statement. Since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record.”

Vaccine discussion: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/09/13/bachmann-creates-stir/13940/