Vaccine debate becomes first 2016 political football

Childhood immunizations and the debate about whether they should be mandatory became a hot topic on the 2016 presidential campaign trail this week. The issue captured national attention again after a measles outbreak traced back to Disneyland raised fears about a resurgence of diseases one thought to be a thing of the past.

On Wednesday, Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is testing the waters on a presidential bid but is widely expected to run, became the latest would-be candidate to field questions about vaccines during a speech at the Detroit Economic Club. He kept his answer short: “Parents ought to make sure their children are vaccinated.” When he paused, the room erupted in applause.

But Bush went on to acknowledge the issue is controversial. “Do we need to get any detail with that? I mean, just seems, um, look it’s easy; I’ve done this; I’ve said things that are misinterpreted or partially interpreted and then heads explode and all sorts of media, you know, just create all this controversy. I think it’s better just to say parents have the responsibility to make sure their children are protected, over and out.”

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie started the round of political position-stating when he said Monday parents should have the ability to choose whether their children are vaccinated, a stance he’s taken before. He made the comments while fielding questions after touring a MedImmune facility in England, where he spent three days on a trade mission. MedImmune has business ties to New Jersey and manufactures the flu vaccine FluMist.

Christie said he and his wife vaccinated their children, the best way he could illustrate his personal beliefs on the issue. Vaccination is an “important part of making sure we protect their health and the public health,” he said. But Christie added a caveat: “I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well. So that’s the balance that the government has to decide.”

Shortly after Christie’s answer, his office released an official statement. The governor believes “with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated,” the statement said.

Christie promised during in his 2009 gubernatorial campaign to fight for more parental rights in vaccination decisions. New Jersey is one of 20 states that allow personal belief waivers for unvaccinated students to attend public school. All but two states have religious exemptions.

Christie’s remarks drew both praise and condemnation. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, also a likely contender for the GOP presidential nomination, said in an interview Monday that he believed vaccines should be voluntary. “I have heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking, normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines,” Paul said in a later interview. He agreed that vaccines are good, “but I think the parents should have some input. The state doesn’t own your children.”

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton issued a pro-vaccine statement on Twitter: “The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork. Let’s protect all our kids. #GrandmothersKnowBest.” Clinton is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, although she hasn’t made her candidacy official yet.

In an interview with NBC, President Barak Obama joined the debate, also affirming his support for vaccinations. Unvaccinated children put others at risk, he said. “I understand that there are families that, in some cases, are concerned about the effect of vaccinations,” Obama said. “The science is, you know, pretty indisputable.”

Christie waded into the vaccine debate after a measles outbreak originating at California’s Disneyland infected more than 100 people in the United States and Mexico. The outbreak drew attention to parents who refuse vaccinations for their children due to a variety of concerns ranging from religious objections to health fears. Some people believe research has pointed to a link between vaccines and disorders like autism.

But regardless of the research and convictions against vaccinations, others say parental rights are paramount. “More important than a candidate’s stance on vaccinations, I’m more concerned for parents’ rights to make decisions about their own children, period,” said Barb Heki, a leader in Iowa’s homeschool advocacy network. In Iowa, where presidential hopefuls will make their first pitches to voters, homeschooling parents represent a large contingent of voters who want the right to choose vaccines, or not.

Louise Kuo Habakus, a radio host opposed to state-mandated vaccinations, also voiced support for Christie’s position. “He’s been absolutely constant and I believe courageous and principled on this issue,” she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.