News / Politics

US Sen. Rand Paul says vaccines can lead to ‘profound mental disorders'

Tuesday, 03 February 2015 2:58 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 03 February 2015 3:27 AM ]

US Senator Rand Paul speaking to CNBC.

US Senator Rand Paul, who is also an ophthalmologist, says vaccines can lead to mental disorders, arguing that parents should choose whether they vaccinate their children, not the government.

In an interview with CNBC on Monday, Paul, who is seen as a potential Republican presidential candidate in the 2016 election, said he has heard of many tragic cases where normal children "wound up with profound mental disorders" after receiving immunizations for diseases like Hepatitis B and measles.

“I’m not arguing vaccines are a bad idea. I think they’re a good thing, but I think the parents should have some input," he added. "The state doesn’t own your children. Parents own the children and it is an issue of freedom.”

Paul stated that vaccines have been voluntary for "most of our history … so I don't think I'm arguing for anything out of the ordinary."

Scientists strongly support childhood vaccination programs, and there is not enough evidence that the vaccines for Hepatitis B or measles are unsafe.

However, the debate over the vaccination took on political overtones in the US after President Barack Obama called on Americans on Sunday to vaccinate their children amid a measles outbreak. "You should get your kids vaccinated.”

Paul isn't the only would-be presidential candidate who has offered an opposing view to Obama’s on the vaccination programs.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also said parents should have "some measure of choice" in the matter but that ultimately "there is no question kids should be vaccinated."

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