THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5776 Issue XXXIII Behar SKIPPING SHOTS Tackling the ongoing vaccination debate through the prism of Halacha. By: Rabbi Tzvi Haber
MAY 17th, 2016: The New York City health department confirmed they are investigating a chicken pox outbreak that has struck the Orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg, infecting 75 people, mostly unvaccinated children, since March.
Three quarters of those stricken had not been vaccinated against varicella, the virus that causes the chicken pox rash. The rest had received one dose of the vaccine and hadn't finished the course, according to the city.
Jennifer Rosen, the director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the city's Immunization Bureau, urged health care workers and families in the surrounding area to make sure they were up-to-date with receiving two doses of the varicella vaccine, which are 98 percent effective at preventing chicken pox. Complications of chicken pox include pneumonia, bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissues, meningitis, encephalitis, birth defects and death.
Vaccinations have become a constant source of debate and confusion, primarily stemming from a study published in The Lancet in 1998 by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and twelve coauthors, linking the MMR vaccine to autism. It was widely circulated and featured on 60 Minutes. However, the science behind the study was suspect, and over the years 10 of the 12 coauthors withdrew their names. In February 2010 The Lancet retracted the article, and in March 2010 Dr. Wakefield lost his medical license due to having acted irresponsibly.
Additionally, the main factor studied was Thimerosal, a mercury based ingredient that was used in vaccines. As of 2001 the Thimerosal was removed from almost all vaccines.
Nevertheless, there is still lingering confusion in the general population, and much misinformation being spread purporting that vaccines should not be given. This thinking has taken grip in many Orthodox communities, and unfortunately, over the years there have been outbreaks in Jewish enclaves of preventable diseases, such as mumps and measles. These diseases can be fatal, and/or have lifelong effects on the health of the diseased. In this article we will discuss vaccines from the point-of-view of Halacha.
MAY 17th, 2016: The New York City health department confirmed they are investigating a chicken pox outbreak that has struck the Orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg, infecting 75 people, mostly unvaccinated children, since March.
Three quarters of those stricken had not been vaccinated against varicella, the virus that causes the chicken pox rash. The rest had received one dose of the vaccine and hadn't finished the course, according to the city.
Jennifer Rosen, the director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the city's Immunization Bureau, urged health care workers and families in the surrounding area to make sure they were up-to-date with receiving two doses of the varicella vaccine, which are 98 percent effective at preventing chicken pox. Complications of chicken pox include pneumonia, bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissues, meningitis, encephalitis, birth defects and death.
Vaccinations have become a constant source of debate and confusion, primarily stemming from a study published in The Lancet in 1998 by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and twelve coauthors, linking the MMR vaccine to autism. It was widely circulated and featured on 60 Minutes. However, the science behind the study was suspect, and over the years 10 of the 12 coauthors withdrew their names. In February 2010 The Lancet retracted the article, and in March 2010 Dr. Wakefield lost his medical license due to having acted irresponsibly.
Additionally, the main factor studied was Thimerosal, a mercury based ingredient that was used in vaccines. As of 2001 the Thimerosal was removed from almost all vaccines.
Nevertheless, there is still lingering confusion in the general population, and much misinformation being spread purporting that vaccines should not be given. This thinking has taken grip in many Orthodox communities, and unfortunately, over the years there have been outbreaks in Jewish enclaves of preventable diseases, such as mumps and measles. These diseases can be fatal, and/or have lifelong effects on the health of the diseased. In this article we will discuss vaccines from the point-of-view of Halacha.
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