Private Practice: Researcher's Blog from Thur. Episode Contamination

[Guest guest]

Have you watched the episode "Contamination" from the Private Practice last night? You can respond to it. Click on link then Main Page.

We have to be their voice!

Here is the site of the Researcher's Blog

http://abc.go.com/primetime/privatepractice/index?pn=researchersblog#t=0 & d=167360

By Moira McMahon -- ResearcherEpisode 211 -- Loses a Patient to the Measles -- Does This Mean It's Right to Vaccinate a Child Against Their Parents' Wishes? In Episode 211, "Contamination," examines three brothers who are visiting from Switzerland. The oldest son, , is autistic and the family moved there to explore alternative treatments. The mother believes a vaccination in his childhood was responsible for her son developing the disease. respects her point of view, but assures her that vaccines are safe. Then, when he examines her middle son , who has not been vaccinated, realizes that has the measles! Pretty soon the practice is on lock down. Measles spreads through the air and is highly contagious. Everyone who has been in the waiting room has to be sure they have been vaccinated or have natural acquired immunity. Pregnant women and the elderly are especially

at risk for the virus. The LA County Health department is called in to oversee everything. It's a really big deal. encourages the mom to have her youngest son, Will, vaccinated. He is at high risk because he has been exposed. She adamantly refuses. She is sure that the vaccinations caused her eldest son's autism. 's condition deteriorates further as the virus rages through his body. is so upset watching suffer that he goes against the mother's wishes and vaccinates her youngest child without getting parental consent. This goes against parents' rights and crosses an ethical line. But does it anyway because he can't watch another child endure the virus and its potential complications when the vaccine works so well. Sadly, passes away from complications of the measles. In this case, the mother's decision to "protect" her child resulted in

his death. There are a growing number of parents who are not vaccinating their children because of their beliefs about the safety of the vaccines. But in choosing not to vaccinate, are they taking on a greater risk than the one they are trying to avoid? What would you do? Take our poll on the Private Practice main page and tell us how you would handle this!

So let's all as responsible parents please go to the Private Practice MAIN PAGE

and tell them.