ECBT was joined by actress Amanda Peet, Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Dr. Rene Jenkins, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics in an effort to combat what they deem as “inaccurate” information that oppose the current state of vaccine safety. Autism and a potential vaccine link has dominated media coverage of autism as of late, thanks mostly to McCarthy and her Hollywood soul mate Jim Carrey. After leading a march to the steps of Capitol Hill in June, the two have continued their media storm.

“I’m so distressed with what is happening,” said the former First Lady. “Recently our mission about the importance of vaccines has become difficult. As a result there is an outbreak of measles… People read misinformation on the internet, but it’s just not true.”

She spoke frankly and calmly and was backed up by statements from Peet who believes that vaccines are essential to every child. “I’m here because there seems to be a rift between the medical community and parents,” she said. “It makes absolutely no sense for parents to feel that there is this massive cover up about the safety of vaccines. There are people presenting this as a controversy when they shouldn’t.”

Peet has been in the news recently addressing her comments in Cookie Magazine where she stated that “parents who don’t vaccinate their children are parasites.” After outrage among parents, she quickly addressed her comments in a letter published on Cookie Mag “I believe in my heart that my use of the word ‘parasites’ was mean and divisive; I completely understand why it offended some parents, and in particular, parents of children with autism who feel that vaccines caused their illness. For this I am truly sorry.”

On Tuesday Peet urged parents: “Don’t listen to actors about this. Don’t listen to celebrities about this. Listen to the doctors and scientists who know what they are doing.” Peet has agreed to be a spokesperson for ECBT because she was concerned with contrary information on vaccine safety circulating in Hollywood circles. As a mother of an 18 month-old, Peet consulted her brother-in-law a Philadelphia based pediatrician who worked under Dr. Offit. After her own research, along with her relationship with the medical community she made the decision to vaccinate her child and eventually she felt the need to speak on behalf of vaccines.

When asked specifically about McCarthy’s efforts to reduce the amount of vaccines children receive before the age of two and the removal of toxic ingredients in vaccines, Peet said, “I want to make this clear: This is not about me, I’m not in line with Jenny McCarthy or Dr. Offit. I’m a spokesperson for the data,” she stated. “I think there are some misunderstandings about what makes something toxic. Mercury is everywhere, but at what point does something become toxic? Parents shouldn’t just believe that because there are certain ingredients in a vaccine that it is harmful. You have to ask yourself what does a trace of mercury mean? Then get the right information so that you can understand why vaccines do have certain ingredients in them.”

Parents are encouraged to log onto Vaccinate Your Baby to learn more about ECBT’s campaign.

According to sources, Jenny McCarthy is slated to respond to Tuesday’s press conference on Wednesday in Los Angeles. More coverage about ECBT’s press conference and their new campaign to come, stay logged into Spectrum Publications for continued coverage.

Editor’s note: It concerned me that both Katie Wright, daughter of Autism Speaks founders Bob and Suzanne Wright and Jane Johnson of Defeat Autism Now were removed from today’s press conference. While Johnson was eventually let in, I feel it is essential that if the AAP, ECBT or anyone else wants to get their message out they need to continue to keep dialogue with the very parents they are trying to reach, open. While they may disagree with each other it is important that both sides are able to meet and speak to each other face to face. In the past I haven’t agreed with rally moms at the Green Our Vaccines march in D.C. booting writer Arthur Allen from covering the event and I stand by any parent who wants to inform the masses about what they heard from today’s press conference. They should also be allowed to ask questions and receive responses. If ECBT wants to educate all Americans they should start with the very parents that oppose them.

Cris Italia is Editor of Spectrum Publications.