Vaccination of children called ‘the only responsible course’

Eric Petersiel

TORONTO — Last month, as the number of people infected by the measles virus continued to grow, the Orthodox Union (OU) and the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) issued a statement reminding parents that the vaccination of children can be considered a halachic obligation and “is absolutely the only responsible course of action.”

In Toronto, the Vaad Harabonim (council of Orthodox rabbis) has not pronounced on the subject, but Rabbi Dovid Schochet, who serves as the organization’s president, said “[children] should get immunized. It’s already an old question. They definitely should be immunized.”

The question of immunization for childhood diseases has resurfaced this winter as illnesses that were once thought to be conquered have begun to make a comeback. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of cases of measles, which can be fatal, was at a 20-year high. A recent outbreak in California, which originated in Disneyland,  affected 123 youngsters as of last week. Most were not vaccinated.

A report in U.S.-based Tablet magazine said five areas in California had “stratospheric rates of unvaccinated or under-immunized kids.” Statewide, the vaccine refusal rate is 2.56 per cent, but in the five problematic areas, rates ran from 5.5 per cent at the low end to 13.5 per cent at the high end.

To achieve “herd immunity,” in which enough of the general population is immune to protect the unimmunized, a vaccination rate of around 94 per cent should be achieved. Its survey of Jewish schools found 14 of 68 schools with high rates of non-vaccinated children, many around 12 to 18 per cent.

Opponents of vaccination often refer to a study that links vaccinations to autism, though that study has been debunked and its author stripped of his licence to practise medicine in Britain. 

In Canada, Toronto Public Health reported 10 cases of measles in the city. In all, there are 17 cases province-wide. Toronto Public Health reported the city-wide non-vaccination rate at two per cent, but one school, ALPHA Alternative junior school, had an exemption rate of 38.8 per cent.

Bais Chaya Mushka, a Chabad girls school, reported a 13.7 per cent exemption rate for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis immunizations and a 13.1 per cent exemption rate for measles, mumps and rubella.

Bais Brucha Girls School, a Bobov institution, reported exemptions totaling 8.1 per cent – 13 of 154 students.

Rabbi Nochum Sosover, executive director of Bais Chaya Mushka, said the rates reported by Toronto Health are not representative of the real rate of immunization in the school. Only a few families have signed documents asking for an exemption from vaccinations, he said. The other parents have either vaccinated their children but don’t have the most up to date documentation or are a little behind in the vaccinations and will have their children immunized.

At any rate, he said, “we are not medical authorities to tell their parents if they should vaccinate their children or not. All we do is follow the reporting process.”

At Robbins Hebrew Academy, which has 365 students, “we have one family that is not immunized,” said Claire Sumerlus, head of school.

Eric Petersiel, head of school at Leo Baeck Day School, said of the school’s 900 students at the north and south branches, only  one to two per cent  (15 to 20) youngsters, have opted out of immunization.

Last week, Elliott Brodkin, executive director and CFO of Associated Hebrew Schools, sent an email to parents saying the school was co-operating with health authorities in Toronto and York Region “to ensure the health and well-being of students and other members of the school community.

“Immunization is the best defence against measles infection. Two doses of measles-containing vaccine are required for full protection. Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto has high immunization rates amongst its students. We require that all students submit their immunization records upon application to the school and we actively collect immunization records from students once they are admitted.”

In their statements on vaccinations, the OU and the RCA noted that it’s the responsibility of parents to have their children vaccinated. “As in many communities, a small minority of parents chooses not to do so. The ongoing measles outbreak demonstrates how this could bear very serious consequences, not only for their own children, but others’ too, especially those medically unable to be vaccinated.”