Today Jenny McCarthy had center stage on the Oprah Show once
again promulgating misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiment. Ms. McCarthy’s appearance as a self-appointed
expert on vaccines and autism conveniently coincides with the
appearance of her latest book, Mother
Warriors. And while she can no
longer lay the foundation of her assault against vaccines on the
merits of the thimerisol argument, Ms. McCarthy used her network pulpit to take
aim against the latest autism culprit:
the vaccine schedule.
Beyond Ms. McCarthy’s ideas on how the CDC should be operating, the Oprah website is hosting a “Jenny McCarthy Autism Q&A.” Everything from “glucose allergies” to her recommended prescription medications for Candida are detailed with the requisite disclaimer that she’s “really not a doctor.” Hmm…she had me fooled for a moment.
Ms. McCarthy’s representation as an “Antivax Warrior” masquerading as “Mother Warrior” is an affront to parents everywhere concerned about the well-being of their children. Her efforts are working to coincidentally drive down immunization rates and support the rising tide of measles.
It should be noted that the producers of the show declined an offer by the American Academy of Pediatrics to provide a representative to balance Ms. McCarthy’s views. Oprah did, however, grant the Academy a statement which was read in part during the show.
