Vaccine Discussion Master Thread

[thaber]

Serious question, if I put together an article for DDMS from some family who are doctors just presenting some history and info about vaccines.

My grandfather did preliminary research for Jonas Salk on the Polio vaccine, and I think it can be very informative.

Good idea or terrible idea?

Probably has never been a better time than the present with all these terrible headlines in the news bashing the orthodox community.

I think it's a great idea, but fair warning: I wrote a fairly pareve article about the polio vaccine in 2013 for  a unknown web outlet with poor circulation. The article was a halachic analysis of the obligation or lack theeof to vaccinate, and had no opinion, just facts. I still, to this day, receive hate mail about it. If you're ready for that then go for it.

[Definitions]

I think it's a great idea, but fair warning: I wrote a fairly pareve article about the polio vaccine in 2013 for  a unknown web outlet with poor circulation. The article was a halachic analysis of the obligation or lack theeof to vaccinate, and had no opinion, just facts. I still, to this day, receive hate mail about it. If you're ready for that then go for it.

Nu so what did you come out with?

[YitzyS]

I'm going to try to post Tzadok Katz's answer last week and letter this week. It will take a few posts so please bear with me.

[YitzyS]

Answer

[YitzyS]

Letter in this week's reader's write.

[YitzyS]

Btw, on the topic of Yated, they have a full article about this topic this week.

[shwarmabob]

Answer

is this serious or is it a joke??

[mmgfarb]

Hebrew Academy of CLE just banned all unvaccinated kids unless there's a bona-fide medical reason that they can't be vaccinated, in which case they won't be able to attend school during any outbreaks.

Which vaccines are required?

[churnbabychurn]

Answer

Which "gedolim" advise not to vaccinate?
None.

[zh cohen]

Which "gedolim" advise not to vaccinate?
None.

Does this count?

https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/205615/prominent-orthodox-rabbi-condemns-vaccines-as-a-ho/

It's an old article, so it is possible that his view has changed.

[sky121]

Hebrew Academy of CLE just banned all unvaccinated kids unless there's a bona-fide medical reason that they can't be vaccinated, in which case they won't be able to attend school during any outbreaks.

I've heard some local parents are taking steps to sue one of the local schools where I live which I personally find ridiculous.  The fighting has gotten so out of hand. People just like to get on the bandwagon and argue in my opinion.

[henche]

Does this count?

https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/205615/prominent-orthodox-rabbi-condemns-vaccines-as-a-ho/

It's an old article, so it is possible that his view has changed.

We discussed that ad nauseum. But I don't find that article very credible. If he really thinks that, and is willing to say so to a newspaper, why has he never put anything in writing, and why haven't I heard of other people who called him and confirmed

[churnbabychurn]

Does this count?

https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/205615/prominent-orthodox-rabbi-condemns-vaccines-as-a-ho/

It's an old article, so it is possible that his view has changed.

not for me

[churnbabychurn]

I've heard some local parents are taking steps to sue one of the local schools where I live which I personally find ridiculous.  The fighting has gotten so out of hand. People just like to get on the bandwagon and argue in my opinion.

At least in Lakewood, school defense is well funded by Rich Roberts

[thaber]

Does this count?

https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/205615/prominent-orthodox-rabbi-condemns-vaccines-as-a-ho/

It's an old article, so it is possible that his view has changed.

No. It's very old and unsubstantiated. He won't sign anything anti, which if he was he would

[zh cohen]

No. It's very old and unsubstantiated. He won't sign anything anti, which if he was he would

There is a letter going around signed by him and (along with several others) that says that "an individual who has done his research has the obligation to act according to his knowledge. If his research has led him to believe that the risks of vaccines are greater than its benefits, and particularly when his view is supported by many medical doctors and researchers, the commandment of ונשמרתם מאוד לנפשותיכם obligates him to shield his children from vaccines"

[thaber]

There is a letter going around signed by him and (along with several others) that says that "an individual who has done his research has the obligation to act according to his knowledge. If his research has led him to believe that the risks of vaccines are greater than its benefits, and particularly when his view is supported by many medical doctors and researchers, the commandment of ונשמרתם מאוד לנפשותיכם obligates him to shield his children from vaccines"

This letter has been around for at least a few years, and was directed to schools that they can't turn down unvaccinated kids. Not that one should not vaccinate, but that you have the right to make that decision.
All this may have changed in light of current events

[zh cohen]

This letter has been around for at least a few years, and was directed to schools that they can't turn down unvaccinated kids. Not that one should not vaccinate, but that you have the right to make that decision.
All this may have changed in light of current events

That may have been the intent, but that's not what the letter says. The part that I quoted explicitly says that someone who's own research leads them to believe that vaccines are dangerous is obligated not to vaccinate.

Dovid Lichtenstein of the "Headlines" radio show said he asked all of the Rabbonim who ssigned to come on to explain, and none of them agreed. He also claims that at least one of the signatures are fake.

[avromie7]

He also claims that at least one of the signatures are fake.

That's no surprise, unfortunately most public letters from rabbanim have fake signatures, most commonly it's done by having them sign on one thing, and then changing the letter.

[shaulyaakov]

Hebrew Academy of CLE just banned all unvaccinated kids unless there's a bona-fide medical reason that they can't be vaccinated, in which case they won't be able to attend school during any outbreaks.

1. Good for them
2. I don't think this is that big of a debate out of town. The OOT yeshivish/chasidish communities have far fewer extremist views IMO.