Though the 2016 election is terribly complicated, one issue seems to be extremely clear-cut between all four presidential candidates – vaccinations.
If pro-science issues like vaccinations for young people is an important one for you, it’s important that you know where the candidates stand.
Gary Johnson
The rising star of the Libertarian party, Johnson is polling better by the day, inching closer to the debate stage. Johnson, who is a fan of shrinking the government in almost every aspect, said in September of 2011 that he was against mandatory vaccinations.
No to mandatory vaccines
— Gov. Gary Johnson (@GovGaryJohnson) September 13, 2011
Donald Trump
It should come as no surprise to anyone that Donald Trump has made more than one anti-vaccination comment during his time in the spotlight. In fact, Trump’s issue with the topic came up during an early Republican debate when Dr. Ben Carson was asked to refute or confirm comments made by Trump linking vaccination to autism.
“I’ve seen it. You take this little beautiful baby, and you pump — it looks just like it’s meant for a horse. We’ve had so many instances … a child went to have the vaccine, got very, very sick, and now is autistic.”
Carson said that he had never seen a link between the two, but his less-than-adamant response drew criticism from the medical community.
Jill Stein
Bring up this subject with those who support Jill Stein and you will quickly learn that the question of whether or not Stein supports vaccinations is a touchy one for many in the Green party. The growing fringe party has had a tenuous history with medical science, supporting to some degree homeopathy and urging caution when it comes to vaccinations in their current state.
Stein has said that she cannot be sure that all vaccines are safe and supports decreased frequency and volume of vaccinations in children. Seeking to reassure her growing fan-base, Stein has said that she “support[s] vaccinations,” but that there are “real questions” when it comes to the safety of the drugs.
While I support vaccinations, Hillary refuses to support a health care system that guarantees all Americans are covered to receive them.
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) August 1, 2016
“There were real questions that needed to be addressed. I think some of them at least have been addressed. I don’t know if all of them have been addressed.”
Hillary Clinton
The Democratic nominee, while disliked for many of her political stances, has made this issue as clear as day. Not willing to put the efficacy of these important vaccinations into question, Hillary Clinton tweeted out that just as the sky is blue and the earth is round, so are vaccination a safe and good practice.
The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork. Let’s protect all our kids. #GrandmothersKnowBest
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 3, 2015
So while the debate continues on a multitude of other issues, if you are hoping for a president who believes in the efficacy of vaccinations, Hill’s your gal.
