It's hard to believe that in the second decade of the 21st century, we're still debating whether it's a good thing or a bad thing to vaccinate our children against contagious illnesses. But that's exactly what we're doing.

Last week, presidential candidate Donald Trump dusted off an old study that suggested childhood vaccines cause autism. The study was discredited and retracted years ago. Nevertheless, Trump declared during the GOP debate that if vaccines were reduced and rearranged "in little sections ... you're going to see a big impact on autism."

None of his fellow candidates challenged him. Ben Carson, a retired physician, said there was no evidence of an autism link, then quietly dropped the subject.

The American Academy of Pediatrics took up the fight that Dr. Carson wouldn't.

Dr. Karen Remley, the academy's executive director, said in a statement: "Claims that vaccines are linked to autism, or are unsafe when administered according to the recommended schedule, have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature. It is dangerous to public health to suggest otherwise."

As for spacing out vaccinations "in little sections," Dr. Remley said postponing vaccines only "leaves a child at risk of disease for a longer period of time."

Good for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Parents should remember that vaccines make life safer not only for their own children but also for others. A small number of children who haven't been vaccinated could cause an outbreak affecting many more youngsters.

Get your children vaccinated.

REPRINTED FROM PANAMA CITY NEWS HERALD