Public needs to know vaccines are safe, doctors say

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Public needs to know vaccines are safe, doctors say

Associated Press. http://rurl.org/10h8

CHICAGO (AP) - A coalition of 22 major medical groups says public

health officials need to restore confidence in vaccine safety,

otherwise the country faces a greater risk of disease outbreaks.

The message comes from the American Medical Association, the American

Academy of Pediatrics and 20 other health-related groups.

Their concern stems from recent measles outbreaks in several U.S. cities.

As of last month, health officials report 131 children have gotten

measles this year. That's the highest number in more than a decade.

Nearly half of those cases involved children whose parents rejected

vaccination.

Recent government data show that more than 77% of toddlers have gotten

all their recommended shots. But the doctor groups say that means

about a quarter of toddlers haven't.

They say public health officials need to counter campaigns by advocacy

groups who believe vaccines can cause autism, despite scientific

evidence to the contrary.