The debate over vaccinations and autism is a pretty heated one. I think that Amanda really chose her words poorly and that she is really sorry for that. I mean, who among us hasn't spoken before we really think it through and then regret what we've said? Unfortunately for Amanda, the whole world gets to see her mistake.

Who hasn't said something without realising the context it could be taken in until later? I can't imagine a context where calling kids parasites would be acceptable, but I'm sure that when she said it she didn't mean it in the way it's been interpreted.

I wish people would just stop and think about what comes out of their mouths sometimes. My husband and I are having trouble commuting to each other and say stupid things all the time. So for now before we get into a big discussion we write out what we are going to say.

Neither - more publicity for her movie. She made a deliberate statement, not just rambling in general conversation.

damage control...since she has a movie coming out soon. The debate over vaccines will continue and I know what side I am on but would NEVER be as harsh and unfeeling as she was about the "other opinion". She realized her comments could REALLY hurt her image!

i notoriously open my mouth and insert foot more than i'd care to admit... and then realize afterwards... ugghhh. so i will give her the benefit of the doubt... personally i think the bulk of her statement (w/all the ummms) might have been somewhat scripted in the first place... hey, maybe this will prompt her to do a little more research.

she comes across as an idiot in the article actually. she says that she made her decision after only talking to experts on one side of the debate. there are lots of physicians out there who have plenty of evidence to support the fact that vaccinations are neurologically damaging and trigger autism. so not only did she become dogmatic about the issue after only half educating herself on the issue, she then used offensive language.

we're all human, we've all made mistakes and said things we regret, give the girl a break. I have a feeling that if it her opinion were the opposite of what she feels, no one would have a problem with it. It's a free country, we are all entitled to our own opinions.

glad she did this. i'm sure the words had little meaning for her, she was talking off the cuff about something she has no real information about. she was probably shocked at the reactions she received. maybe this will give her something to think about. live and learn

Personally I'm tired of hearing people say sorry for things they really think! So what, you think parents who don't vaccinate their children parasites? Own it! Everyone is entitled to their opinion; don't back down cause some people don't like it. Obviously she thought it enough at the moment, so she should claim it and not get all wishy washy.

there was more to her apology... and it sounds so scripted... i'm just as disgusted reading her nonpology as i was initially by her judgemental comment. and i agree lindsaybriggs... if you're gonna have an opinion... have an opinion... be informed & don't back down if you're convinced of your stand on an issue. i'd respect that, even if i didnt agree.

Oh come on! What is with the constant apologies, I can see if she were the surgeon general but please she is an actress speaking her mind. I am with Amanda Peet - I think parents who don't get their children vaccinated are the parasites. Is that any less offensive? The autism link to childhood vaccinations has yet to be proved.

well, its a controversial issue. I vaccinated my son but was worried and wished that there was a "better solution." anyways it seems like a deliberate gaffe, since she should have better PR skills than to call a large group of people parasites! so im going with the idea that it was to promote her movie! but i still like her!

She shouldn't have apologised at all - she has a point; those who don't vaccinate are relying on "herd immunity" which only exists when others do vaccinate.

My sister developed epilepsy and cerebral palsey as a result of newborn vaccinations. I know now that if I have children I will have to be particularly careful with their vaccinations. I don't think it is fair to make a statement like that about a parents choice without considering why they are making that choice

sparklish, she can have an opinion or a point but name calling is just ignorant, especially when you consider situations like bransugar, and many others..

i think she is saying sorry because she was completely out of line and people got pissed off.. i doubt she would have said anything if it wouldn't have become such an issue.. as people above said, she believes it, and so instead of just releasing another statement, live it out by being open minded to others in the next interview ..

Damage control, she made an intelligent statement and shouldn't have to take back her words to appease the idiots out there. The fact is there is no scientific evidence to make a link, the statistics just aren't there for it even to warrant further investigation, but you get uninformed idiots who are just as bad as 911 truthers who won't listen to reason. This is something that is widely ignored in the scientific community because no one wants to research something that was invented by the media and perpetuated by idiots, there was originally a mistaken scientist who put out a paper which was immediately proven to be ablsolute crap and she ruined her reputation and now cheap womens magazines perpetuate a mistake on ad infinitum, the newspapers are parasites, and anyone who perpetuates this are parasites, who care enough to read a crummy magazine to make decisions about the child's well being but not enough to go and read the long winded papers that debunk it. If your child dies of measles are is made infertile i hope you can live with the guilt.
Until stumbling across this page I had never heard of this but now i have much more respect for Amanda Peet, she may have just saved your childs life from your stupidity if you care enough to listen.

I agree with her that vaccines do not cause Autism and that children who are not vaccinated are leeching off of children who are. I think that her words were poorly chosen for a magazine, but wish she would have stuck to her opinion. I believe that sometimes bad things happen to children and parents need an outlet. They just can't accept that this could happen to their child. I think not vaccinating children will lead to further epidemics. My son has had every shot available and will continue.