'Anti-Vaxxer Propaganda' To Blame For Measles Outbreak: Lawmakers

Lawmakers want to end vaccine exemptions on religious grounds as a measles epidemic spreads across Orthodox Jewish communities in Rockland County and New York City. As of April 4 there were 167 confirmed cases of measles in Rockland, and 259 cases reported as of April 3 in NYC, according to local health department officials.

In all, there have been 442 cases statewide (that also includes 15 in Orange County and 2 in Sullivan County), NY health department officials said.

New York lawmakers rallied for vaccine legislation reform this week. Their legislation — which mirrors similar laws passed in California, West Virginia and Mississippi — is currently in the Health committees of the New York Assembly and state Senate.

"The numbers in Rockland County do not lie," said Sen. David Carlucci. "We have an emergency, with one of the largest measles outbreaks in the state. I co-sponsor legislation to remove non-medical vaccine exemptions because this is about following the science and stopping the spread of disease. We must stand united in protecting the public's health and safety in New York."

Bronx Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz and Manhattan state Senator Brad Hoylman argue the religious exemption is being abused by parents with a philosophical, and not faith-derived, objection to vaccination, which is not protected by state law, and point to social media campaigns as the root of the problem.

"We’re calling for Albany to reject the anti-vaxxer propaganda and join California to end non-medical exemptions," said Holyman.

"Choosing not to vaccinate without a medical reason is putting the rights of other children and their parents in jeopardy," added Dinowitz. "We must rely on scientific fact and not allow the false information being spread on social media to dictate how to protect our children.”

The lawmakers' press release included a statement from a rabbi and biology professor who argued Jewish law does not condemn parents from inoculating their children against the Measles.

“Jewish law makes people responsible for the health of their children and the good health of their children is designed by the medical profession, not by the rabbinic profession," argued Rabbi Dr. Mosche D. Tendler, Professor of Biology, Medical Ethics, and Senior Rabbi at Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University. "It violates Jewish law not to vaccinate your children."

From a science-based standpoint, only medical exemptions from vaccines make sense, said Senator Pete Harckham, 40th Senate District.

"The current outbreaks of measles in New York have been traced to unvaccinated children who were exempted for their family’s religious or personal beliefs," Harckham said. "We have a duty to keep our kids safe from easily preventable diseases that can maim and kill, like measles, that we once thought were eradicated thanks to vaccines. It’s time to strengthen our laws to protect our children.”

Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee of Rockland County said she was reviewing legislation on the issue.

“As a member of the Assembly Health Committee, I am responsible for recognizing and supporting legislation and other health initiatives that are in the best interest of the people of New York State. Immunizations are essential in preventing the outbreak of harmful bacteria and viruses and keeping our community healthy and safe. We have taken great strides as a nation to protect and improve the health of families and communities by eliminating and controlling many life-threatening illnesses. Immunizations have played a critical role in this process.

The CDC’s goal of achieving “at least a 95% vaccination rate” in our schools aims not only to protect the individual child but to protect other children as well, especially those who can’t be vaccinated for a variety of health reasons including cancer, and who therefore depend on other children being vaccinated.

While I believe in protecting the First Amendment right to freely practice one’s religion and in personal choice, an individual’s rights must be balanced with a public responsibility to protect the health of the entire population."

By Kathleen Culliton, Patch Staff. Patch editor Lanning Taliaferro contributed to this report.