Amanda Peet calls non-vaccinating parents "parasites"
Categories: Newborns, Babies, Toddlers, Safety, Celeb Parenting, Behaving Badly
Vaccinations are a hot-button topic that never fails to get parents on either side of the issued riled up. Amanda Peet, who will soon be appearing in a a pro-vaccination video, likely stirred the pot a little more with her recent comment to Cookie magazine."I was shocked by the amount of misinformation floating around," she said, "Particularly in Hollywood. Frankly, I feel that parents who don't vaccinate their children are parasites." Somewhere in Hollywood, Jenny McCarthy's ears just started burning.
Them's fightin' words, Amanda. Though I chose vaccinations for my own kids (read: what other parents do about this controversial issue is their business), I think that name-calling makes people more divisive. If Amanda is trying to sway uncertain parents, she's not going to win anyone over with that kind of talk. Hopefully, her video for Every Child By Two is a little more even-handed.
Some parents who want to vaccinate but still have concerns are turning to an adjusted shot schedule, such as the one found in Dr. Sear's The Vaccine Book. Dr. Sear's doesn't recommend opting out of vaccinations completely, but does offer options to parents who aren't comfortable with the current vaccine schedule.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Miranda 7-12-2008 @ 2:32PM
Just the name of that video Every Child By Two, pisses me off. I also have opted into vaccinations for my daughter, however after extensive research on the pro's and con's I came to my own conclusion. There are certain manufacterers of vaccinations(cough*eli lilly *cough) that do add potential harmful ingredient as well as high levels of mercury to cut cost. This was actually added as a clause to the Patriot Act that this company will not be responsible for any liability issues related to their poison vaccines. I also am able to comprehend the benefits of vaccinations. The Chinese don't shoot their kids up with any diseases until they've reached five years of age. I think this is wise, and although I haven't gone that far, you better believe I do not follow the vaccination schedule as recommended. I waited a year before taking my daughter in, and we do them one at a time. Yes, she is behind, but she's not acquired any sudden and 'unexplainable' developmental challenges either. I was in shock when she went to her first check up at 1 month old and they 'strongly advised' me to shoot my daughter up with 6 different diseases at one time. I told them to go to hell. Amanda Peets can go to hell to!
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jen 7-12-2008 @ 4:27PM
I think Ms. Peet's comments refer to the fact that parents who don't vacinate are relying on the majority of the rest of the population TO vaccinate - i.e. their kids won't get sick if everyone else vaccinates, thereby reducing expsoure.
ame s 7-12-2008 @ 5:51PM
I think you are doing the right thing. If I had it to do over again, I would go the one-shot-at-a-time route with my daughters. I still cringe when I remember them getting 4 shots at a time. As an adult, I would probably not consider having 4 shots at once unless I were deathly ill.
daeja 7-12-2008 @ 5:44PM
Miranda I completely agree with you. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Sherry 7-12-2008 @ 7:51PM
Why are people getting so worked up about what she said? She has a right to her opinion just like everyone else. Just like Jenny McCarthy has a right to voice her opinion for the other side. Sure her remark wasn't particularly diplomatic, but who cares what she thinks anyway? IS Amanda Peet the source of information parents turn to in order to make up their minds about vaccinations? Regardless of of whatever video she has made, I very seriously doubt it. I certainly didn't run out and get my kids vaccinated because if I don't Amanda Peet will consider me a "parasite."
If you are you raising you children based on what wackos in Hollywood say and do then frankly I think you have bigger problems than a vaccination schedule.
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Marisa 7-13-2008 @ 5:53AM
I think that's the point. Hollywood has no business in these sensitive decisions that we make for our children. I think that's what should be heard. That we don't need the new mom on the block to educate us who isn't informed because she's to busy filming her next blockbuster about what's safe for our kids. I aso don't think we should discredit the mom who is living through this nightmare. I also think it's important that we as mom's unite rather than tear each other down. Yes we need to be educated on what's in these vaccines. We are not going to be heard or acknowledged by calling one another parasites. Does she even know what she is saying? Or is this another line from her brother in law the vaccine maker!!! Can anyone smell the conflict of interest?????
Christy 7-16-2008 @ 1:39AM
Agree!! I'm the parent of two girls, one vaccinated 100% and the other, significantly affected by autism, only had shots her first year of life. Her heavy metal tests show her OFF THE CHARTS for many of the bad stuff in vaccinations like mercury and aluminum. My vote is for cleaner vaccinations that are given on a schedule based on family history and the child's individual health conditions. But, everyone should do their own homework and stop listening to people who are educated by Big Pharma or Hollywood...
Yolanda 7-13-2008 @ 10:34AM
For every argument you find on one side, you can find a counterargument - it just so happens the pro-vaccination lobby has far more money to voice their opinions because they are backed by a billion-dollar industry.
She is a cretin - I have decided not to vaccinate my children and it was a decision that took a month of agonising after hundreds of hours of research. This does not mean that i think those who vaccinate are wrong at all. And people like her cause the problems between those who do and those who don´t. Everyone is doing what they believe is best for their child.
If the product does what it says, and you get the vaccination boosters at the recommended intervals why should you be concerned about those who do not vaccinate.
And as for parasites - guaranteed that the money spent by the governments on vaccinations is billions more than the money spent on looking after those who do not vaccinate. So who are the parasites?
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Dusty G 7-23-2008 @ 12:59PM
What if you don't have a choice. If I decided not to let my kids get vaccinated, I would have to home school them....
Yolanda 7-23-2008 @ 1:16PM
Then you have to do what is right for your child in your particular circumstances. If I was in the same position as you I would have to vaccinate them, I am lucky that that is not the situation here.
I don´t think there is a right or wrong answer - to vaccinate or not to vaccinate.
In my personal situation, there is severe allergies and eczema on both sides of the family and I had serious bowels problems as a child - which increase the risk of complications from vaccinations. I simply wasn´t prepared to take that risk when they were babies.
My problem is only with those who think their way is the only way. There are reasons people don´t vaccinate their children and it is not a decision that is taken lightly.
Yolanda 7-13-2008 @ 10:57AM
I should have clarified - by saying ´who are the parasites´ I was referring to the vaccine manufacturers.
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Miranda 7-13-2008 @ 4:17PM
Thank You Yolanda! It's about personal choice! Everybody just wants to do right by their child. And why should people be so concerned over those who are not vaccinated when this is whole purpose of vaccinations!! Hello?! McFly!? I think it's about money, personally.
And now with all the talk about the HPV vaccine may be required for young girl also...that is an STD!!! How about parents educating their children on sex instead of requiring a vaccine which I do not believe has been thoroughly tested (by our trusted friends at the FDA *sarcasm).
When the government can dole out millions to family's of children who have been victimized by vaccines in the form of autism how in the hell can they still make in mandatory!?!
And then you've got ignorant ass people like Ms. Amanda Peets who will use her fame to try and sway us....as if the government and our dr.'s aren't doing enough to try to keep us uneducated and brainwashed that they are safe and mandatory.
When I first took my daughter in there wasn't even a question whether I wanted her vaccinated. They were all set up and ready to do it until I interjected. My dr. told me it was required and there's nothing I can do. He told me he refused to see my daughter as a patient if I did not basically fall in line. Excuse my language but can you say F*cked up?
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Sunny 7-22-2008 @ 9:29PM
I completely agree with Miranda.Had a similar situation at the Pediatrician's office. I wonder how much she got paid to call people parasites?
Justin 7-14-2008 @ 12:19AM
Miranda, I don't think she's trying to swing anyone, and if she is, the people actually listening to her and taking her seriously are a bunch of morons.
Myself I am pro vaccine. But I also am informed enough to know what they are about and know enough about medicine and such that I know how they work and what they do. Making comments like "I don't believe are thoroughly tested" are irrelevant if you're trying to state a point or fact by saying what you think/believe. I know enough about them to know that I will use them, without being swayed by the government or stupid celebrities or flashy ads. And that's MY opinion and MY judgment. Nobody else's and I don't expect people to follow my lead. The choice is theirs.
Everyone is entitled to their point of view, and the only jerks and idiots out there are the ones to try and push their point of view on others. I have mine, and I don't expect anyone to follow it, but be damned if you think you and your two bit of a brain and big mouth will sway my judgment.
Just a quick comment though on your "That is an STD!!!" snap. Gee no really it is??? Wow didn't know *Sarcasm*
What happens now that you've educated your daughter, and low and behold you've done your best, and poof... Something unexpected happens and the worst happens. That vaccine may be exactly what you were looking for. But too late now.
It's not a cure, it's a preventative measure, and just because you may be an amazing parent and very informative to your child, doesn't mean it won't happen to them. THAT is ignorance. Burying your head in the sand with a "That will never happen to them" mentality may work sometimes, and others it won't. Is that a chance you're willing to take?
Not trying to "Sway" your opinion, just shooting down your attempt at trying to sway someone else. You're just as bad as all these "Goverment agencies" and "conspiracies" when you're trying to do the same thing as them. Regardless of what side you're on.
I love hot topics like this that result in absolutely nothing constructive. Everyone has their thing and sticks to their guns, and no matter how much ranting and screaming goes on here is gonna change it. Sometimes I think these celebs are the smart ones tossing out little scraps of food to a bunch of hungry crazed wolves, and then laughing as everyone goes wild with the comments like they are supposed to change the world. Sheesh.
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Miranda 7-23-2008 @ 9:19AM
Wow! I just love it when people pick apart my words and fail to see the point. It just tickles me. I don't believe I ever stated that I didn't believe my daughter could get HPV. I stated that I don't think it should be mandatory. Also, I believe we're all here to try and inform one another and SHARE of views, not cut each other down. Tsk tsk.
ninainindia 7-14-2008 @ 1:39AM
I wonder how the people who don't vaccinate their children would feel if everyone would stop vaccinating.
Their children are safe because most people are vaccinated, the diseases are almost never seen in our countries anymore. Do they realize that these vaccines were not invented just because. They were invented to save lives, and they have saved many lives.
It's denial when you say I raise my daughter well, she won't get HPV. I know girls that were raised well but after months of protected sex they trusted their boyfriends and now they do have HPV and they have to live with it the rest of their lives.
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Julie 7-17-2008 @ 11:26PM
75% of all people have been exposed to HPV, but very few get cervical cancer. HPV is essentially harmless to the vast majority of people. Those who develop cancer typically have a weakened immune system. The vast majority of cervical cancer cases could be prevented with routine screening and safe sex practices. The vaccine is likely to prevent less than 6,000 cases of cervical cancer a year. The vaccine doesn't guarantee immunity for longer than 5 years. With roughly 30 million girls being vaccinated at about the cost of $360 per dose, who's really benefiting here? Merck Pharmaceuticals has hit the jack pot....
You really want your daughters to get this vaccine?
marilyn 7-19-2008 @ 3:26PM
Julie, the first ever cancer vaccine has been created, and you don't think women should have it because only 6,000 lives could be saved?
feener 7-14-2008 @ 1:14PM
I read the article and blogged about it as well (http://mommyvents.blogspot.com)
I thought her comment was a bit harsh for a hollywood star as they are always trying to be politically correct.
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Fritz 11-16-2009 @ 4:54PM
What a joke! This person gets paid $2MM per film for acting, lives a cushy life, can hire anyone to manage everything in her life, including her baby and probably hired someone to do all the "research" on vaccines for her to make her conclusion. Now getting paid for a PSA to boot.
Must be nice to have everything easy in your life and make a statement that offends so many suffering due to the life draining task of dealing with a child with special needs.
Hollywood wacko indeed!
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