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Actress Amanda Peet Says Kids Need A Shot At Life

DETROIT (WWJ) - Amanda Peet is best known for her work in movies and television. But the actress is taking on a new role as Ambassador for the United Nations "Shot @ Life" campaign. Peet tells WWJ 950 she wants to make sure kids in the U.S. and around the world receive the immunizations they need.

"In the developing world, a child dies every 20 seconds from a vaccine-preventable disease," Peet said, "For just $20, Americans can give a child protection against four deadly diseases: Pneumonia, polio, rotovirus and measles. I'm very honored and excited to be part of this really important issue. And we're really, really close to eradicating some of these diseases. "

U.N. health officials say 1.5 million children die each year from a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine. And doctors say vaccines are safe, simple and one of the most cost-effective ways to save and improve lives of children worldwide. And they allow children to have a shot at reaching the milestones we take for granted in the U.S.

What about safety concerns raised by Actress Jenny McCarthy and others that there could be link between autism and childhood immunizations?

Peet believes vaccinations are safe. " If you take the American Academy of Pediatrics, the WHO, the CDC, UNICEF, it's hard to believe that there is some kind of massive conspiracy to hide the truth about vaccine safety."

For more information go here.

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