The Politicization of The Measles

When I was a middle school guidance counselor, one of my responsibilities was to register  incoming transfer students. In addition to a transcript from a previous school and a birth certificate, all students had to provide health documents showing an immunization record. No record, no admission. If a student needed shots and could not afford them, we sent the family to the county health clinic where they could receive free inoculations.

How did vaccinations become politicized?  Was it because vaccinations did not work? No because polio has been eradicated in the US and for the most part so have mumps,chicken pox,and measles. The Boston Public school system was the first in the country to require all of its students to receive certain injections. Perhaps it was because there was a direct correlation between measles vaccinations and autism. That is also not true, as it has not been clinically proven.  Then it may be because parents want to be in control of their children’s’ health rather than the government. Herein lies a problem. When do personal issues supersede the good of the community at large?

A good question.

Where will the issues of childhood vaccinations end?  Who knows? Several US Senators and would -be presidential candidates have weighed in on the issue, delicately trying to placate their constituencies.

Homeschooled children have an advantage- until they go into a public place like a museum or a theatre. At that point, the uninoculated are targets for disease.

All classroom teachers need to be mindful of these issues, but more importantly- get immunized! The best defense is a good offense. I have been told on numerous occasions that a first year kindergarten teacher is often beset by many illnesses until immunity is built up. Do all that you can to be safe and healthy.

c.2015 J. Margolis