Vaccine Discussion Master Thread

[henche]

Anti-vax Kol Koreh (or at least pro the anti vaxxers) hanging in BMG.  Signed not only by Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky (not surprised there), but cosigned by Rav Matisyahu Solomon, Rav Aharon Shechter and others.  Also claims endorsement from Rav Chaim Kanievsky.  What is going on?

It's as accurate as the rest of the kol korehs...

also, pics?

[1234567]

It's Bein Hazmanim.  There were about a million people around it.  I wasn't about to go up there and whip out my phone and take a picture.

[thaber]

It's as accurate as the rest of the kol korehs...

+1.

[aygart]

Anti-vax Kol Koreh (or at least pro the anti vaxxers) hanging in BMG.  Signed not only by Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky (not surprised there), but cosigned by Rav Matisyahu Solomon, Rav Aharon Shechter and others.  Also claims endorsement from Rav Chaim Kanievsky.  What is going on?

Not quite a Kol Koreh and not quite anti-vax. This opinion of theirs was known before that schools should not force anti-vaxers to vax. What he seems to be doing is justifying calling it a religious exemption since if based on their "research" they feel it is unsafe the Torah obligates them not to vax.

[Achas Veachas]

Not quite a Kol Koreh and not quite anti-vax. This opinion of theirs was known before that schools should not force anti-vaxers to vax. What he seems to be doing is justifying calling it a religious exemption since if based on their "research" they feel it is unsafe the Torah obligates them not to vax.

Also, no endorsement from R' Chaim, only a reference to a letter he wrote.

[aygart]

Also, no endorsement from R' Chaim, only a reference to a letter he wrote.

I guess that's what he meant by claims endorsement.

[noturbizniss]

It's a stupid letter as there is no supporting medical research showing the risks outweigh the benefits. Honestly if those rabanutwbeleive that then th ey have no business giving any advice or psak as they  clearly did no research whatsoever. I have no respect for that. If they hadn't mentioned the supposed supporting medical research it would be one thing, but saying that is blatant ignorance or laziness.
It is also NOT debated in medical and research circles. It is quacks that debate it.

[PTU]

Where are vaccines a "much debated topic in medical and scientific circles" ?
Simply not true. It is settled science.
Are the rabbis are basing the Kol koreh on misinformation?? Does this invalidate it?

[1234567]

Not quite a Kol Koreh and not quite anti-vax. This opinion of theirs was known before that schools should not force anti-vaxers to vax. What he seems to be doing is justifying calling it a religious exemption since if based on their "research" they feel it is unsafe the Torah obligates them not to vax.

If they hadn't mentioned the supposed supporting medical research it would be one thing, but saying that is blatant ignorance or laziness.

Exactly my point.  Calling not vaccinating "an obligation"  but vaccinating something that "one may do" sounds quite anti-vax to me.  It goes a bit too far to call it just "justifying calling it a religious exemption."

If you don't want to refer to it as a "Kol Koreh" that is fine by me.  Call it whatever you like.

[aygart]

We already know that Rebetzin Kamenetzky is a big anti vaxxer

[noturbizniss]

What bothers me is that one way or another they did not do the research. Either they did not put any effort in, or, more likely, some folks with an agenda came to them with their own "facts" and based the letter on that, again without any independent verification.

[noturbizniss]

We already know that Rebetzin Kamenetzky is a big anti vaxxer

I didn't know. She give any reasons  ever?

[henche]

Where are vaccines a "much debated topic in medical and scientific circles" ?
Simply not true. It is settled science.
Are the rabbis are basing the Kol koreh on misinformation?? Does this invalidate it?

I don't believe anything is settled science.

Global warming is also "settled science" and I am absolutely convinced it is a fraud.

[PTU]

I don't believe anything is settled science.

Global warming is also "settled science" and I am absolutely convinced it is a fraud.

Comparing global warming, which is vastly debated in the scientific community, to vaccines is dishonest.
(Granted, the media would have us believe that global warming is settled science, but they are definitely dishonest!)

[thaber]

The question of school policy is very different than the vaccination question. 
In general,  when one chashuva person signs one of these everyone else relies on him.
In this case it's on Rav Shmuels stationery reiterating his long held position which may or may not be influenced by the Rebbetzin.
Note the date on the letter.

[noturbizniss]

Great article by a mom who's kid was actually impacted by the mmr vaccine.

 http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2015/04/mmr_vaccine_complication_itp_vaccines_save_lives_despite_rare_side_effects.html

[Emkay]

Anti-vax Kol Koreh (or at least pro the anti vaxxers) hanging in BMG.  Signed not only by Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky (not surprised there), but cosigned by Rav Matisyahu Solomon, Rav Aharon Shechter and others.  Also claims endorsement from Rav Chaim Kanievsky.  What is going on?

That sounds like and is as factually incorrect as a FM headline.

[1234567]

That sounds like and is as factually incorrect as a FM headline.

Thank you for your input!  Disagree if you like, but what exactly is "factually incorrect"?

P.S. And if FM means what I think it does, that's a pretty low blow.

[henche]

Thank you for your input!  Disagree if you like, but what exactly is "factually incorrect"?

P.S. And if FM means what I think it does, that's a pretty low blow.

The entire description of the letter is factually incorrect.

[1234567]

The entire description of the letter is factually incorrect.

You're a lawyer, let's break this down.  (Warning, I may quote myself)

Anti-vax Kol Koreh (or at least pro the anti vaxxers)

Calling not vaccinating "an obligation"  but vaccinating something that "one may do" sounds quite anti-vax to me.  It goes a bit too far to call it just "justifying calling it a religious exemption."

If you don't want to refer to it as a "Kol Koreh" that is fine by me.  Call it whatever you like.

 hanging in BMG. 

Do you disagree with that?

Signed not only by Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky (not surprised there), but cosigned by Rav Matisyahu Solomon, Rav Aharon Shechter and others.

See previous question.

Also claims endorsement from Rav Chaim Kanievsky.

Also, no endorsement from R' Chaim, only a reference to a letter he wrote.

I guess that's what he meant by claims endorsement.

 What is going on?

That sounds like and is as factually incorrect as a FM headline.

Umm... Ad hominem?

Have a good night!