Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Conservative Republicans Ally With Vaccine Skeptics
The Associated Press: Vaccine Skeptics Find Unexpected Allies In Conservative GOP
As vaccine skeptics fight laws that would force more parents to inoculate their kids, they are finding unexpected allies in conservative Republicans. Though the stereotype of a vaccine skeptic is a coastal, back-to-the-land type, it’s generally been Democratic-controlled states that have tightened vaccination laws. This week, Democrats in two of those states — California, where a measles outbreak was traced to Disneyland, and Washington state — proposed eliminating laws that allow parents to opt out of vaccination for personal reasons. (Riccardi, 2/6)
The Washington Post's Fact Checker: Is There A Link Between The Measles Outbreak And Illegal Immigration?
One of our colleagues noticed that virtually every Washington Post article concerning the measles outbreak is followed by comments that link the outbreak to illegal immigration. As it turned out, a number of prominent politicians have suggested that there might be a link — or that a link cannot be ruled out. (LePage did not mention measles, but suggested there could be in “uptick” in other diseases.) Our friends at PundiFact noted that Rush Limbaugh flat-out declared the outbreak was linked to “our immigration policy,” earning the commentator a “Pants on Fire.” But the politicians’ statements were much more nuanced and careful. What kind of evidence do they have? (Kessler, 2/6)
The Hill: California Bill Would Require Parents To Vaccinate Children
Five California state senators want to eliminate waivers that allow parents to opt their children out of vaccinations for personal or religious beliefs, arguing such a step could have prevented the state’s recent measles outbreak. The lawmakers announced their bill late Wednesday, which would require all children to be vaccinated before attending public school, unless they have a medical condition that prevents it. Schools would also be required to make their vaccination rates public. (Ferris, 2/5)
The Associated Press: A Look At Some Vaccine-Related Legislation In Several States
Several state legislatures are debating vaccine-related measures as dozens of people have fallen ill from a measles outbreak that started at Disneyland in December and spread beyond the theme park. Here is a look at some of the legislation around the country. (2/6)
And five infants in Chicago are infected with measles --
The Washington Post: Five Infants In Chicago Area Diagnosed With Measles
Five infants in the Chicago area have been diagnosed with measles, a situation that highlights the dangers posed by the current measles outbreak, public health officials said Thursday. This is the second time this week that a measles case infecting an infant has potentially exposed other very young children to the virus. ... These situations point to the dangers posed by the current measles outbreak, which has largely centered on California and has sparked renewed focus on the people who do not vaccinate their children. (Officials say that so far, it does not appear that the Illinois cases are linked to the outbreak that began at Disneyland.) (Berman, 2/5)
