Vaccines & viruses: Debate cools as measles outbreak ends

Measles halted. With only three new measles cases reported in the United States since mid-March, California health officials last Friday declared the Disneyland measles outbreak over. They remain concerned about vaccine rates of 50 percent or less in some California schools, however. The end of the measles outbreak could further sap momentum from a major effort by California lawmakers to restrict vaccine exemptions. A bill to eliminate the state’s religious exemption from school immunizations is stalled after parents protested and threatened to remove their children from public school.

Sorry. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has apologized for using the word “holocaust” to describe the plight of American children harmed by vaccines.

Booted from school. Last week, Washington state’s second-largest school district barred 143 students from class for lacking immunization waivers. They cannot return to school until they receive mandatory vaccinations or apply for a philosophical, religious, or medical exemption. Spokane Public Schools took the tough stance because of the measles outbreak earlier this year and a current whooping cough outbreak in Washington.

Christian Science Church and vaccines. Earlier this month, the Australian government decided to require families on welfare to vaccinate their children, but left in place an exemption for those who object to vaccines on religious grounds. Now Australia is removing the religious exemption, as well. The government had recognized only one religious organization as objecting to vaccines: Church of Christ, Scientist, founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy. But a spokeswoman for the organization told Fairfax Media it actually takes a “neutral stance” on vaccines. After consulting with the group, Australian officials said Sunday they would no longer accept vaccination exemption applications from religious organizations. That means no more religious exemptions for welfare families, either.

Sick as a dog. A Chicago outbreak of dog flu has sickened over 1,000 pets in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio. The new virus seems to have come originally from Asia. Veterinarians are telling Midwest dog owners to watch out for pooches’ coughing, sneezing, and runny noses.

Unlikely admirer. Paul Offit, the University of Pennsylvania doctor known for his criticism of vaccine skeptics—and a personal admirer of new atheist writings—has authored a new book censuring families who refuse medical care or vaccines in the name of religion. But in researching the book Bad Faith and reading the New Testament for himself, Offit admitted in a recent interview he was “impressed by Jesus” and impressed by the role of Christians in promoting healthcare throughout history. Although not a Christian himself, Offit now calls Christianity the “single greatest breakthrough against child abuse.”