Posted on 02/09/2015 4:21:07 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Retired neurosurgeon and presidential hopeful Ben Carson attempted Sunday to diffuse the vaccination debate that has gripped the political scene, saying there’s no reason to turn vaccines for measles and other diseases into a partisan issue.
Mr. Carson, a star in conservative circles, said scientists have debunked skeptics who warn of debilitating side effects from vaccines, and parents who forgo vaccinations are eroding the herd immunity that has lulled them into complacency.
“We’ve had such an effective vaccination program that you’re not seeing the diseases,” Mr. Carson told “Fox News Sunday.”
A measles outbreak traced to Disneyland in California has resulted in at least 150 cases, and the political wildfire around whether parents must vaccinate their children is spreading just as quickly. Some Republican presidential hopefuls struggled with the issue last week, prompting other contenders to quickly tout the merits of vaccines.
Meanwhile, government disease specialists said the benefits of vaccination far outweigh side effects that typically amount to a sore arm or slight fever.
Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said measles is a disease “that’s entirely preventable.”
He accused the anti-vaccine crowd of putting the youngest Americans at risk, as toddlers cannot get the shot until they reach their first birthday.
“What we’re talking about are outbreaks among vulnerable people,” said Dr. Fauci, the nation’s top disease fighter.
The situation has renewed debate about whether governments and school districts have done enough to stamp out diseases. On Friday the University of California system announced that, starting in 2017, incoming students must be vaccinated against measles and other diseases.
The intersection between medical science and government mandates tripped up prominent politicians last week.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Ben Carson Nanny State PING!
I never pass up a Tetanus shot.
But if it saves just one life! /s
Paranoia the new national pastime?
Vaccines are good medicine, not a political issue.
Unless the government decides to make it political.
Awwwww no - not you too, Ben Carson - - -
I’m running out of steam about the vaccine issue.
I believe the bottom, bottom, bottom line is the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
But not saying at all that Carson has been paid off.
They WERE good medicine, until pharmaceutical companies found they could get the government to force anything on the people at large cost
I like the good Doctor, but on Fox News Sunday, he laid this outbreak at the feet of Blue areas of California. The theme park, in Anaheim, considered to be ground zero of this outbreak, is located in the middle of my Red area (Orange County). I have not much good to say about Blue areas of CA, but Dr. Carson was flat out wrong.
Thank you.
They become political when the government gets involved. Just saying.
Thank you Dr. Carson. I wonder when support for psuedoscientific quackery became a conservative agenda item.
I think Mr. Carson had best consult the veterinary profession and have them explain their new vaccination protocols, and why they were put in place, despite the fact that vaccination is the financial bread-and-butter of the trade.
“...Ben Carson attempted Sunday to diffuse the vaccination debate...
That is sophomoric journalism. Because Ben Carson gave his position on the subject. He did not just attempt to make a bothersome subject go away.
My military husband had his recommended (obligatory) yearly flu vaccination for many years, until he noted that he came down with the flu every year. He hasn’t had a flu shot for many years and has never come down with the flu. For that matter, neither have I.
I doubt that I have ever had the flu, I wouldn’t even know how to tell if I had it.
I’m all for the polio vaccine. And on one job I was required to have all the usual vaccinations required for travel in the 3rd world.
But on the other hand, I had measles as a kid. And chickenpox. My mom nursed me, I don’t think I even went to the doctor.
So its hard for me to take some of this stuff seriously I suppose.
I have never had a flu vaccine, ever. But thats just me, I don’t get sick often thank God. But I have had flu a time or two over the years, but big deal. I just took a day or two off from work til I was able to get back on my feet. I didn’t go to the doctor because, I suppose, from my background people just don’t go to the doctor for every little thing.
I know people who do go to the doctor for everything and some of them are seriously messed up.
My observation over the years has been, if you are shot or in a car wreck, you have a broken bone or a piece of your car stuck in your chest, by all means see a doctor. They can work miracles. If on the other hand you have something weird wrong with weird symptoms, you are probably better off to avoid them.
I don't think the flu shot actually causes flu, but what may have happened to your husband is that the shot weakened his immunity and allowed him to catch a strain of the virus that was either not included in that shot, or which he had never been exposed to before. He can be thankful it was only flu.
I’m with you but we’ll be hollered down
Does anyone remember polio and iron lungs....I do
I’m riding with vaccines
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