Amid measles outbreak, Autism group speaks out

CHICAGO, Ill. (WPVI) -- A preeminent autism advocacy group is speaking out amid the ongoing measles outbreak.

A statement from Autism Speaks reads: "Vaccines do not cause autism. We urge that all children be fully vaccinated."

This is in response to the now-discredited theory that inoculations cause autism.

"For them to say the question is over, vaccines don't cause autism, get vaccinated - that's a big step," said ABC News Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser.

Some California lawmakers want to give parents no choice but to vaccinate.

"We should not wait for more children to sicken or die before we act," said Dr. Richard Pan, a state senator.

Infants under the age of one and immune-compromised people of all ages cannot get the vaccine - so they hope the rest of us will.

In California, a Santa Monica daycare reopened its doors on Friday after a baby there came down with the measles, but only for children who have been vaccinated.

14 babies there who may have been exposed are being kept home, ordered to quarantine for 21 days.

Five more babies are believed to have contracted measles at a daycare outside Chicago.

Measles had been declared completely eliminated just 15 years ago. There are now more than 100 cases in this nationwide outbreak.

Measles can be serious - in some cases, leading to swell of the brain and even death.

All parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children.