American parents must adopt a global view on vaccinations for their children for the "greater good of humanity," says Dr. Jeffrey Gardere, known as "America's psychologist."
"I do believe it is a parent's right to determine what the vaccination process should be for their child," Gardere said Wednesday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on
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"But I would also ask parents to be cognizant that it's not just about the health of their child, but the health of other children. Parents really do have to have a more global view.
"I would like to see a world where parents say, 'I have some issues with vaccination, but I have to look at the greater good of humanity and not just my own particular child, God forbid, developing something … like autism from the MMR vaccine.'"
Childhood vaccinations have become a political hot potato in recent months as cases of measles have dramatically increased in the United States. Some parents fear vaccinations can cause mental disorders.
Gardere said he doesn't buy the argument by some parents that children who are vaccinated are protected against those who aren't, so why should all kids be forced to get one?
"Even children who are vaccinated — the vaccines aren't 100 percent … [They] might still be able to catch measles," he said.
In addition, there are adults to worry about, according to Gardere, an assistant professor and course director at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City.
"We have to think of, God forbid, pregnant women, for example, who may be riding a subway [and] have not been vaccinated," he said.
"There was a situation of a college student who actually was exposed of a whole subway car of people possibly to measles. You have to think about the greater good."
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