In the wake of a fomenting anti-vaccination movement that has led to a massive measles outbreak which has infected 121 people in 17 states, the Senate held a hearing on Tuesday to discuss the safety and efficacy of modern vaccines.
The conversation's participants were largely in agreement that there is not even a debate to be had. "Too many parents are turning away from sound science," said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Health Committee. "Sound science is this: Vaccines save lives."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) used the hearing to publicly shame Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) for irresponsible comments he made regarding vaccines' ability to cause "profound mental disorders." To do so, she questioned Anne Schuchat, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases about potential dangers of vaccines:
"Is there any scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism?" asked Warren.
"No," said Schuchat.
"Is there any scientific evidence that vaccines cause 'profound mental disorders'?" she continued, quoting Paul.
"No," responded Schuchat, "but some of the diseases we vaccinate against can."
Watch the video below:
Shares