Jenny McCarthy is setting the record straight about her opinions on childhood vaccines. In an op-ed in the Chicago Sun Times, the "View" co-host is clarifying once and for all that she is not "anti-vaccine."
After years of publicly speaking out against vaccinations, the actress and television presenter wrote the piece to clear up being "wrongly branded as 'anti-vaccine," for years, according to the New York Daily News.
"This is not a change in my stance, nor is it a new position that I have recently adopted," the 41-year-old wrote in her piece on Saturday. "For years, I have repeatedly stated that I am, in fact, 'pro-vaccine,' and for years I have been wrongly branded as 'anti-vaccine.'"
McCarthy has an 11-year-old autistic son named Evan. She confirmed that her son is the reason why she challenged the vaccination system in the first place and stated that he inspired her to question the "'one size fits' all philosophy of the recommended vaccine schedule." In the past, McCarthy has been quoted stating that her son's autism was caused by a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine he was given as a child.
"I embarked on this quest not only for myself and my family, but countless parents who shared my desire for knowledge that could lead to options and alternate schedules, but never to eliminate the vaccines," McCarthy wrote.
McCarthy added: "Blatantly inaccurate blog posts about my position have been accepted as truth by the public at large, as well as media outlets (legitimate and otherwise) who have taken those false stories and repeatedly turned them into headlines."
McCarthy wrote that she agreed with a blogger who described her opinions as being in a "gray zone" when it comes to believing vaccines are safe for children. McCarthy said she aimed to create a safe space for parents to learn different ways to keep their children safe and healthy and argues that "critical thinking" has been compromised when it comes to understanding the anti-vaccine movement.
"For my child, I asked for a schedule that would allow one shot per visit instead of the multiple shots they were and still are giving infants," she explained. "I believe in the importance of a vaccine program and I believe parents have the right to choose one poke per visit. I've never told anyone to not vaccinate."
McCarthy added."I will continue to say what I have always said: One size does not fit all." God help us all if gray is no longer an option."
