Dr. Rachael Ross is a a practicing board-certified family medicine physician and sexologist whose engaging manner and frankness has garnered comparisons to Dr. Ruth Westheimer.
A pioneer of groundbreaking discussions about relationships, sex, health, abstinence HIV/AIDS prevention and comprehensive sex education for teenagers, Dr. Rachael has spread her message to audiences across the U.S. on television, social media and numerous publications.
For Dr. Rachael, practicing medicine is something of a family business. She continues to practice in her hometown of Gary, IN, with her father, Dr. David Ross and her brother, Dr. Nathaniel Ross, while mom Ruthie serves as office manager. Dr. Rachael’s sister, Rebekkah Ross, was also a physician and part of the Ross Family Doctors’ practice until she passed away from complications related to sickle-cell anemia in 2011.
Dr. Rachael earned her M.D. from Meharry Medical College and her Ph.D. from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists, along with a B.A. from Vanderbilt University, where she studied anthropology. She now lives in Chicago, and in her free time, refurbishes furniture, dabbles in interior design, maintains her medical practice in Gary, and commutes throughout the U.S. passionately offering “prescriptions for life.”
The film gained notice when it was dis-invited to play at Tribeca Film Festival. It has been mis-labeled an “anti-vaccine” film when in fact it is calling for more research on the MMR and advocates for safe vaccines. Central to the film is a discussion of a possible link between the MMR and the onset of autism in a significant and ever-increasing percentage of children.
It will be released on 9/13/16.
The backdrop is the intractable, seemingly inexplicable and soaring rates of autism in the U.S. As little as 20 years ago, the disease affected 1 in 10,000 children; today, it’s 1 in 58. As discussed in the film, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control were ordered to destroy data of its flawed MMR study, which indicated a causative link between MMR and autism, and in particular a very high statistical association between the drug and young African-American boys.
Vaccines are the only class of drugs in which drug manufacturers are exempt from liability. Should a parent file suit against a drug maker on behalf of his or her vaccine-damaged child, the case goes to the Orwellian sounding “Vaccine Court,” where settlements are paid by the U.S. taxpayer (not the drug maker).
Get Dr. Rachael’s answers to your questions on Page 2.
How much medical research do you do as a practicing physician?
All day, everyday.
I have a two-month-old Black baby boy should/can I wait for my baby to turn 4 to get MMR vac?
Yes, you can. In most states you have the right to delay vaccination for medical and or personal reasons.
Would you vaccinate your child with MMR vaccine before 3 months?
No, I would not.
Can parents reject this vaccine and will that keep kids from school?
The best thing is to discuss your fears with your physician, get a new doctor if they tell you that you are crazy, and make informed decisions about your child. In most states, there is paperwork that you must fill out if you choose to reject any of the recommended vaccinations.
What is your view on the HPV shots for your teens?
I do not offer the HPV vaccination in my clinic.
So when should the MMR vaccine be administered to our little brown boys? Especially if schools are requiring them before they can start?
After looking at the data, in my family and practice, I recommend it after the age of 36 months.
Do you have any documented increase in cases with Black girls and the MMR vaccine? With reluctance, I just had my baby girl vaccinated.
That particular study just found the association with Black boys. She will likely be just fine. I recommend to my own patients, not to give Tylenol, not to introduce any new foods within the next couple weeks, and to document anything about her health that you notice. The majority of kids do just fine. No need to panic.
Dr. Rachael, my four-and-a-half-year-old African-American daughter was diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at two-and-a-half. The signs were developmental regression, delayed speech, not responding to her name and regression in head size. Has there been an increase in girls being diagnosed in recent years?
There has been an increase in autism worldwide. The CDC estimated that 1 in 68 kids have been identified with ASD.
Why can’t the three separate components of the MMR vaccine be given at different intervals during a child’s development?
They used to do that. My understanding is that separate vaccines aren’t patentable.
How do we balance the public health need with a sub-population need? Because the sub-population can be injured and cause injury by each choice.
We fight for safer vaccines.
In 2008, I heard Holly Robinson Peete speak on a TV show. I frantically called my son in California and begged him not to take my grandson to get his vaccine in 3 days. Well, at two he was not speaking clearly, didn’t like loud noises. However, he seemed highly intelligent. Both parents were in denial. Finally at 5 yrs of age, they had him tested. Results said he has a little social autism and that boys sometime developed slower. They suggested speech therapy. He’s now 8-years-old and he is better. What help is there for parents who are in semi-denial that their child might be autistic?
There is so much help available for kids on the autistic spectrum. As soon as parents recognize an issue with socialization, it is important to seek out these resources. I’ve seem so many kids heal and improve. When parents are in denial, I suggest bringing out the developmental guidelines checklist and showing parents where the child should be in comparison to where they actually are. Then a visit to their family physician for an evaluation.
What might happen if my son does not get that MMR vaccination?
He might catch measles, mumps, and or rubella.
