A controversial film that many claim is starting a large political movement premiered in Leawood on Friday night.
Vaxxed is a documentary that centers around a CDC whistleblower who claims the organization covered up data regarding the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella which proves can cause the onset of Autism.
Although the CDC says severe side effects from the vaccine are so rare, it’s “hard to tell whether they are caused by the vaccine,” the film’s director says there is a clear reason for a cover-up.
"Because what it does is to threaten pharmaceutical industry profits and vaccine policy in this country,” said Andy Wakefield.
He described the film through the words of the whistleblower, saying, “For 14 years we have known that MMR vaccine is associated with autism in children. We decided to cover that up, we throw away documents and we have lied to the American public. We've deceived the taxpayers and we have put millions of children in harm’s way."
Wakefield says Vaxxed was pulled from the Tribeca Film Festival after sponsors put pressure on festival management but that the film as exploded across the country since.
Sheila Lewis-Ealey and her 16-year-old son, who has autism, are featured in the film. The Louisiana mother was in Leawood for the premiere Friday and is proud to be part of the movement. She says her son was damaged after receiving the MMR vaccine.
"It's important that people understand that vaccines have not been tested. They're not safe, especially in the combination they're given in,” she said.
Lewis-Ealey says she’s not anti-vaccination but that laws need to be changed and that parents deserve the right to know the ingredients being put into their children.
"We should not be forced to inject a vaccination that we don't agree with that has all kinds of substances and toxins in there. … We have a right to say what goes in our veins and in our children's veins,” she said.
CDC “severe problems” listed as “very rare” from the MMR vaccine include:
- Serious allergic reaction (less than one out of 1 million doses)
- Several other severe problems have been reported after a child gets MMR vaccine, including:
- Deafness
- Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness
- Permanent brain damage
Vaxxed shows at the Glenwood Arts Theatre through Thursday. A Q&A from the film’s producer and director will continue following shows Saturday night, June 11.
-----
Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
