Makers of controversial vaccination film have showing in El Paso

The makers of the documentary “Vaxxed: From Cover Up To Catastrophe” are touring across the U.S. in hopes of spreading their message.

The film makes the widely contested claim that there is a link between administering the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and Autism.

The director of the film, Andrew Wakefield, is an ex-gastroenterologist. He’s the researcher who helped start the anti-vaccination movement. In 1998, Wakefield published a study that claimed eight children started to show signs of Autism after receiving the MMR vaccine. Wakefield’s license to practice medicine was pulled in 2010, after it was ruled that he acted “dishonestly and irresponsibly” when conducting his research.

For producer Polly Tomey, this issue hits close to home. She claims that her son suffered a severe seizure after being vaccinated, and that he hasn’t been the same ever since.

“I had complete faith when they told me the vaccine was effective. That evening he had a seizure and he’s now 20 years old, and will never live a life as intended,” Tomey said. “He will always need help.”

El Pasoan Miriam Lujan is in a similar position. She said her daughter’s health suffered after she was vaccinated.

“She was having really high fevers, and she had a seizure at nine months. That’s when I noticed that it was the vaccines that were causing that,” Lujan said. “I was pro vaccine. I wanted her to get her vaccines, I wanted everyone to get their vaccines because I was afraid. That’s what doctors do to you. They push you, they scare you.”

Lujan watched the film, and it solidified her beliefs. She said she will never vaccinate her children again.

Kaylin Cork vaccinated her son for the first six months of her life. After researching the issue more, she is now against it.

“The more research I’ve done, the scarier it is for me to vaccinate him or our future kids,” Cork said.

The film was originally accepted into the Tribeca film festival, but was later removed. Actor Robert Deniro, a founder of the festival, was initially behind the film, but decided to drop it after reviewing the film with scientific professionals. De Niro has an autistic son.

“The pharmaceutical companies, we’re a big threat to them, because there’s a lot of money that’s being made,” Tomey said. “Tribeca pulled out because they were frightened. Everyone’s living in fear.”

The Vaxxed tour began last April, and the members on the bus said they will continue to tour across the country to show the film.

“Come and see our stories,” Tomey said. “Question everything.”