Measles is undoubtedly one of the most talked about illnesses that have swept across mainstream American in the last several years. Unlike other recent outbreaks that have even caused fatalities globally, this is an outbreak that is having real consequences right here in the United States – and the most-crucial group of people that could be involved – children – are at the center of a serious debate. The outbreak began and has been linked to Disneyland in California. Medical experts have said that the catalyst throughout the entire outbreak has been individuals who are not vaccinated against the illness.
Many states throughout the United States have personal belief clauses with regards to vaccinations that allow parents to say no to certain immunizations that are otherwise considered “normal.” Opponents of this clause, and those who want to see the clause stripped away for the better of the community. Since medical experts tend to be in agreement that those who are unvaccinated are the ones causing the most concern, the need to get those who are unvaccinated, vaccinated is a definite need, according to these individuals.
Many have attributed the fact that parents typically do not use religious reason as cause for opting out of vaccinations for their kids, but rather the personal discomfort that’s associated with vaccinating their kids. One individual likened it to the association that – if the person’s child gets sick afterward – it becomes their fault. However, measles is an incredibly contagious disease and many are saying that it’s of the utmost importance to get the vaccination done. That being said, people are falling on all sides of the issue with this. It also does not help that different branches and levels of government can’t even agree on how important the vaccinations are.
Representative June Robinson, who drafted a bill in order to get vaccinations going again, and removing the opt-out clause for parents – which has 11 co-sponsors – said that in addition to making it “too easy” for parents to say no to immunizations it sets a larger precedent that can have an impact on the community that isn’t desired. She said, “I think we need to think about the larger community and what we’re doing, not just to ourselves and our own children, but also to all the people in the community.” Either way, it’s something that is going to have to be ruled on soon, as outcry, and the outbreak continue to worsen.