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Peet Heads Campaign Urging Vaccinations For Kids

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Aug 5, 2008 6:49 pm US/Eastern

Peet Heads Campaign Urging Vaccinations For Kids

Actress Tells Parents Not To Listen To Celebrities When Deciding On Shots

Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ― It's a decision many parents struggle with: whether or not to vaccinate their children. Several celebrities with autistic children have cautioned against immunizations, but on Tuesday another Hollywood name helped kick off a campaign encouraging parents to vaccinate.

Beginning Tuesday, actress Amanda Peet will be starring in public service announcements for the "Vaccinate Your Baby" campaign. She got involved when she became a mother, and many of her Hollywood friends told her not to vaccinate her daughter.

"I'm not an expert and I'm here to tell you do not listen to actors, do not listen to celebrities and do not believe everything you read on the Internet," she said.

Peet says there's so much misinformation out there and that parents need to rely on doctors and experts when it comes to vaccines.

Actress Jenny McCarthy is just one outspoken celebrity who believes vaccines trigger autism. Her son Evan was diagnosed with the ailment at 2-years-old, and she says the Centers for Disease Control needs to cleanup the vaccines and cut down on the amount given to children.

She says parents are the ones who can get things changed.

"Personally my inner knowing says what's going to do it is by Americans being terrified to vaccinate," she said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees and endorses the "Vaccinate Your Baby" campaign. On Tuesday, the president of the academy, Dr. Renee Jenkins, told parents the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks.

"Vaccines are safe, effective and necessary for children of all ages," said Jenkins.

Parents had mixed reactions.

"I have no problem getting them vaccinated, I think it's good for them. It keeps them healthier I think," said Kori Stanton, a mother of two.

But Chieh Dejong is being more cautions in her approach to vaccinating her children, holding off on the shots for measles, mumps, and rubella for her 9-month-old.

"I'm taking the moderate one and just delaying the ones that are questionable," she said.

The "Vaccinate Your Baby" campaign has also launched a new Web site, teaching parents about what's in a vaccine and answering frequently asked questions about the issue.

For more information on both sides of the issue, use the following resources:

 Vaccinate Your Baby
 Talk About Curing Autism
 Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

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