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Measles outbreak leads to vaccination debate; turns political

More than 100 people have contracted measles, most exposed after visits to Disneyland. The resurgence of the illness has given new life to the debate over whether parents should vaccinate their children. This week, that debate became political. While most government leaders are urging people to inoculate their children, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), himself a medical doctor, told CNBC he's known of cases in which vaccines have caused "profound medical disorders." Missouri School of Journalism professors Earnest Perry, Mike McKean and Amy Simons discuss the issue on KBIA-FM's media criticism program, "Views of the News.”

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Many potential 2016 presidential nominees have also spoke have spoke out about the issue, including Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton. The media has given a platform for people like Paul to speak on these issues without giving the science behind the issue. McKean points out that the media needs to share some of the blame for people becoming skeptical of vaccinating their children and for people not trusting science.

"But I have to tell you, I think that media has some blame that they should accept for this as well."

http://youtu.be/lgVMxPP3ppQ  

Perry discussed how the original story had been lost. Again, the story turned back to if vaccinating children had any connection to measles.

"And now that story has been lost, because we're still talking about, you know, whether someone should be vaccinated and whether or not it's connected to autism"

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