West Chester mom defends controversial stance on vaccines

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- The recent measles outbreak has sparked a vaccine debate. Doctors say they are not harmful but some parents disagree.

"I'm so tired of our families being bullied, I'm so tired, I mean you say villify, I say that they're being bullied," said Honey Rinicella.

Rinicella, of West Chester, is a mother of 14-year-old twin boys who had a severe vaccine reaction when they were just infants.

"They were diagnosed with autism and auto-immune issues, so had they known my kids had auto-immune issues prior, they most likely would have treated me differently," said Rinicella.

Further tests would later determine the twins had an underlying mitochondrial disorder.

"Every doctor we see says, 'Your children with their mitochondrial dysfunction should never had a vaccine,'" said Rinicella.

Rinicella came forward to tell her story in the middle of a debate over whether vaccines are safe for everyone in the wake of a rash of measles cases around the United States.

Rinicella is a member of the non-profit group TACA, an acronym for 'Talk About Curing Autism,' which supports about 40,000 families nationwide.

Studies have not found a link between autism and vaccines but Rinicella contends that unfortunately, the vaccines are not safe for everyone.

"There have actually been 83 cases that have gone to court and they have gotten compensation for autism related to vaccines. You cannot say that vaccines don't cause autism," said Rinicella.

Dr. Beth Shortridge, an attending pediatrician at Bryn Mawr Hospital, says such cases are rare.

"Very, very rarely a baby might have some neurological problems called encephalopathy so if a baby had that reaction, it may not be from the vaccine but they're not gonna get recommended to get the vaccine again," said Dr. Shortridge.

In any event, Rinicella believes the government needs to do a better job of making sure vaccines are safe for everyone.

"I think vaccines are needed, I think they're hugely important, but the way in which they're produced and the rate in which they're produced and given to children nowadays is horrifically damaging to our kids," said Rinicella.

Ultimately Dr. Shortridge says parents should have a conversation with their doctor about any potential side effects and risks.