Kristin Cavallari, 27, is sticking by her guns despite the backlash from friends and family as a result of her decision not to vaccinate her 1-year-old son, Camden Cutler.
The Laguna Beach star recently spoke out about of her beliefs and fears concerning the link between vaccinations and autism in several interviews.
“There’s really scary statistics out there, and to each their own. Autism wasn’t prevalent — like it is now — years ago, so something is going on, whether it’s the chemicals in our food or the vaccines,” she said to Huffpost Live. “Something is happening, and we can’t really ignore that. I choose to believe that I think it’s in the vaccines but, again, to each their own and that’s where I stand on it.”
Many believe Cavallari needs to read some other research.
Kristen cavalleri clearly hasn't read any of the correct books/medical papers- there's NO evidence of a link btw vaccs & autism. Bad parent!
— Danni (@danni285b) March 15, 2014
Kristen Cavalleri is a idiot. Autism is not linked to vaccinations, good job at putting your child at risk
— Amy Lam (@AmyyyLoveeee) March 15, 2014
Oh good grief, Jay Cutler and Kristen Cavalleri are the latest celebrity anti-vaxxer loons: http://t.co/AGK0sOaZsW
— TavernWench (@TavernWench) March 15, 2014
According to Dr. Kenneth Alexander, chief of the section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Chicago, scientific studies involving millions of children has debunked the association between childhood shots and autism.
“Any association between vaccines and autism has long been disproven,” said Alexander. “Her words are dangerous, will result in the under-immunization of children, and an increase in morbidity and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases.
Cavallari and her husband, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, 30, are expecting their second child in May. Married in June 2013, the couple has decided that vaccination is not in the family cards.
The reality star says her son has never been vaccinated and she doesn’t plan on doing it for her soon-to-be born child, either.
“There’s really scary statistics out there, and to each their own,” she said. “Autism wasn’t prevalent — like it is now — years ago, so something is going on, whether it’s the chemicals in our food or the vaccines.”
The Hills star didn’t intend to make a big deal and says she’s not out campaigning against vaccination. But, she did feel she needed to clarify where she stood on the issue and why she has this particular viewpoint.
“Something is happening, and we can’t really ignore that,” Cavallari said. “I choose to believe that I think it’s in the vaccines but, again, to each their own and that’s where I stand on it.”
Image via YouTube