October 19, 2010

Should we abolish the religious exemption for mandatory vaccinations?

A thoughtful comment was sent to us recently by Kathleen Hoke
Dachille, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of
Law. Professor Dachille wrote she agreed with our call to eliminate the
philosophical belief exemption for mandatory childhood vaccines, but
went on to say:

I think that some states adopted the standard because the religious
exemption issue created too many sticky First Amendment issues —
when is a religion a religion; how do we know the exemptor (or his
parent) actual practices that religion in a manner than requires
exemption?

So my question to you is whether you believe that the religious

exemption should also be eliminated. I fear if that exemption is not
also eliminated, then the personal/philosophical exemptors will turn to
these so-called religions that form online and purportedly believe that
vaccines are immoral or against God’s will. And states will be faced
with blanket acceptance of religious exemption requests (which
basically happens in most states now) or lots of litigation on the First
Amendment issue. So I think the call should be for the elimination of
all but the medical exemption.

Interestingly, my law students and I recently engaged in this

discussion in class and there were a lot of serious arguments made
and also a lot of emotions displayed.

Dr. Ross responded:

I believe the philosophical exemption is a cover for those who fear

vaccines, and since this fear is baseless, and is dangerous for those in
the vicinity of those exempted as well as for those who avoid the
vaccine, it should be eliminated. I would not force those whose
religious beliefs prevent them from accepting vaccination to violate
those beliefs. I certainly understand the concerns of Prof. Dachille, and
even agree with them to some extent. But the solution to those
concerns is not to set goals which are unattainable, as the elimination
of the religious exemption would I suspect be, nor to generate
controversy and anger whose effect would be to impede the
attainment of the desired goal: elimination of the philosophical
exemption. Should doctors force Jehovah's Witnesses to accept a
blood transfusion, even to save a life? I don't think so.
Let's take it one step at a time. After the superficial philosophical
exemption is removed, some may flee to the harbor of religious
exemption, some pseudo-religions may spring up to accommodate
them. Those issues will have to be dealt with in time. Not now.

Richard Diaz (October 19, 2010)

Fear of vaccines is not baseless. All vaccine product inserts state very plainly that there
are risks. In fact, these risks are minimized by the medical profession until disaster
happens. If vaccines were risk free, why then does congress grant blanket immunity to
doctors and the pharmaceutical companies that make them.

The issue of religious freedom and choice is not up for debate or negotiation. The history
of vaccines, their contents and the creators of the same are up for debate. If you were to
take the time to investigate, you would find that no scientific study has ever been done to
prove or even suggest that vaccines, any vaccine, is safe, effective and efficient. In fact,
the entire scientific study was performed by Dr. Jenner on his son and Dr. Jenner was not
an MD but a Barber/Surgeon. His development and treatment of the Small / Cow Pox
vaccine, in fact created epidemics in France, Germany and Marlboro, Massachusetts.

His study was not a double blind study as is accepted today but a marketing effort to
create a cultural coma on everybody since before the 1800's.

You can say, over and over again that vaccines are safe and effective but you must prove
it beyond any doubt before entering into an edit of the Constitution.

Donna (October 19, 2010)

As far as religious exemptions go, what about vaccines containing, or originally created
with, human diploid cells? Human diploid cells are harvested from aborted fetuses.
Would a religious belief against abortion, and therefore certain vaccines, not be enough
for you to believe we should still have a religious exemption? Religious freedom is
guaranteed in the Constitution, and that freedom includes not wanting to inject your child
with cells from dead babies.