WashPo: Medical Experts 'Alarmed' Republican Pres. Candidates Advocate 'Some Measure Of Choice' Over Childhood Vaccines

Washington Post
Feb. 03, 2015

CAMBRIDGE, England -- Medical experts reacted with alarm Monday as two top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination appeared to question whether child vaccinations should be mandatory -- injecting politics into an emotional issue that has taken on new resonance with a recent outbreak of measles in the United States.

First, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, while visiting a vaccine laboratory here during an overseas trip to Britain, called for "some measure of choice" on whether shots guarding against measles and other diseases should be required for children.

Then, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), an ophthalmologist who is also readying a 2016 campaign, said in two U.S. television interviews that he believes most vaccines should be voluntary, citing "many tragic cases of walking, talking normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines."

"The state doesn't own your children," Paul said on CNBC, praising vaccines for their health benefits but insisting that the government should not mandate their use in most cases. "Parents own the children. And it is an issue of freedom and public health."

The vigorous outcry in response to the remarks underscored the sensitivity surrounding the vaccination debate, particularly given a widening multi-state measles outbreak linked to a California theme park. Both Christie and Paul are leading GOP candidates who are likely to exercise significant influence over the direction of the 2016 primary race.

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