Meridith Yeoman: Flawed documentary coming to State, it’s best ignored

In the coming weeks, the State Theater will be screening the Documentary “Vaxxed.” The studies referenced in “Vaxxed” were long ago discredited. Unfortunately, since many parents were frightened by it, vaccine rates across the board have fallen. Many studies have since tried to replicate Dr. Andrew Wakefield’s findings and failed. Absolutely no connection between autism and vaccines can be documented.

Prior to the 1998 study, there were few cases of measles. Measles can be a significant cause of morbidity, including and deafness in children. One in every 1,000 children afflicted with measles contracts encephalitis and, more rarely, can develop a type called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis, or SSPE. This results in irreversible brain death over a period of 7 to 10 years. Sadly, a child in the Bay Area recently passed away due to SSPE.

I am increasingly concerned about the anti-vaccine movement and the damage it has done throughout the state of California. We have seen a record number of cases of measles and whooping cough in the past few years, due in part to declining immunization rates.

Seek the advice of a licensed medical provider when making the important decision to vaccinate your child, not that of a documentary

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Meridith Yeoman: Flawed documentary coming to State, it’s best ignored."