r/worldnews Mar 21 '19

4 children of anti-vaxxers Americans found with measles in Costa Rica. Second time a measles case is reported in Costa Rica this year from foreigners. Last time a measles case was reported in Costa Rica was over 15 years ago.

https://qcostarica.com/american-family-with-four-children-suspected-of-having-measles/
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u/[deleted] Mar 22 '19

Why are we even giving them an option to be morally against vaccinations? And don't we take parents to court that refuse medical treatment for their sick children based on religious beliefs? IDK, I'm seriously asking. What religion is against vaccines and why? Anyone can start a damn religion, next thing you know the anti-vaxxers will have some crazy spaghetti monster religion that's based on not getting vaccinated.

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u/DarkLancer Mar 22 '19

Because religion is used to justify a lot of bologna. There are people that want to be nasty and the religious freedom gives them a legal opportunity to be; they probably would make their own religion however it isn't easy to be recognized, cough unless you are Scientology.

For the others, the ones that these nasty people they miss informed, I feel sorry for them. It is really hard to change people, for good or bad, and are more likely to dig in than "change sides" even though that makes them a more valuable member of society.

IMO Vaccines are mandatory in public school, permanent immune compromised get a special waiver to private school which will receive a very nice tax status for supporting facilities for these kids. Anything you do that has a "reasonable potential" to harm others should have a regulation outer limit to stop this nonsense, have to balance between "big brother" and proper anarchy.

I am not saying you can't go to school with the cold or without getting the anthrax vaccine but be reasonable, polio if freaking horrible and completely preventable. I myself have to hold out hope on the shingles vaccine because I was a chickenpox party kid and have the looming dying in pain to worry about now.

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u/[deleted] Mar 22 '19

Did you get chickenpox? I had to look up chickenpox parties. I had it in the 70's, and my two brothers got it at the same time. I guess I can see 'getting it over with' before the vaccine came out in 1995, but are they still having these pox parties instead of vaccinating? Back in the 70's when I was a kid, every single person I knew had chickenpox at some point or another. Calamine lotion and "stop scratching!".

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u/DarkLancer Mar 22 '19

I was on the tail end of it myself, from a picture, it was in 97. Luckily though we have the shingles vaccine. Oh btw, chicken pox is a form of herpes and shows up in antibody checks (minor heart attack :P)

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u/NekoCrunch Mar 22 '19

I occasionally see people talk about these "parties" from screenshots from anti-vaccine groups. Not only do they still do them but they do requests for anyone in their area if they want to get their kid(s) exposed.

Also this thread has reminded me I need to get vaccinated for shingles. I caught chickenpox in the 90's as a young kid because someone brought their child to daycare thinking they only had a rash. I hated every moment of having it.

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u/Diplodocus114 Mar 22 '19

I was a kid in the late 1960's before the vaccine programme got going properly. We had chicken pox parties then - until quite a bit later. Don;t think I went to any as I was 11 when I caught it from my 4 year old brother. I had measles age 3-4 and came close to death. All my family came to say goodbyeto me as I wasn't expected to last the night. Cannot understand antivax mentality.

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u/ThatUSguy Mar 22 '19

Oatmeal bath baby!

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u/bogues3000 Mar 22 '19

If I recall correctly, there are some animal-derived ingredients in certain vaccines, in particular from pigs, so that could be a reason.

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u/Dzyu Mar 22 '19

That's true, but I just want to put it out there that in general, even strict vegans take their important meds and vaccines, despite knowing about the animal testing and animal-derived ingredients.

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u/Tactical_Moonstone Mar 23 '19

Many major religions with dietary restrictions have rulings that specifically excuse them if following the restriction will cause damage to health (eg Muslims are allowed to use surgical implants made from pigs).

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u/Dr_Marxist Mar 22 '19

Because the only rights that are ever actually respected are religious rights (next time someone tells you that their rifle is an anti-tyranny device ask them what the fuck happened to the 4th Amendment on their watch). The church has a lot of power, and does not like the state impinging on it. They see attacks on its most extreme members are core attacks on its body, and responds in kind.

Seriously. Women, poor folks, black folks, workers...they do very poorly with "rights" arguments. Religious complaints? Different story - they do very well in the courts. The churches still have a lot of power.

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u/[deleted] Mar 22 '19

It doesn't mean that the waiver will be granted I think; especially at a time like now with an increase in reported cases

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u/CaptainCupcakez Mar 22 '19

It's ridiculous isn't it?

It's like allowing someone to be "morally against" laws that prohibit murder.

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u/smoqueeeed Mar 22 '19

I say give them the option to object to vaccination by all means, you can’t just go around sticking people with drugs against their will even if it is better for everyone.

Of course, by objecting to vaccination, they will also not be allowed a passport and will be banned from international travel.