AAP CALLS FOR CANCELLATION OF ABC's ELI STONE PREMIERE (fwd)

[Guest guest]

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS CALLS FOR CANCELLATION

OF ABC's " ELI STONE " PREMIERE

____________________________________

For immediate release: January 28, 2008

_http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jan08elistonerelease.htm_

(http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jan08elistonerelease.htm)

CHICAGO - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is demanding ABC cancel

the opening episode of " Eli Stone " scheduled for Thursday, January 31. As

reported in The New York Times, the episode features a lawyer who argues in

court

that a vaccine caused a child's autism. While the show includes statements

that science has refuted any link between autism and vaccines, the episode's

conclusion delivers a contrary impression; the jury awards the mother $5.2

million, leaving audiences with the destructive idea that vaccines do cause

autism.

" A television show that perpetuates the myth that vaccines cause autism is

the height of reckless irresponsibility on the part of ABC and its parent

company, The Walt Disney Co., " said R. , MD, FAAP, president of

the

AAP. " If parents watch this program and choose to deny their children

immunizations, ABC will share in the responsibility for the suffering and

deaths

that occur as a result. The consequences of a decline in immunization rates

could be devastating to the health of our nation's children. "

No scientific link has been found between vaccines and autism. The AAP and

other health organizations will continue to work to ensure the safety of

childhood vaccines.

For accurate information on autism, immunization and other child health

topics, visit the AAP's Web site, _http://www.aap.org_ (http://www.aap.org/) .