Vaccination Debate Flares In GOP Race, Alarming Medical Experts

"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, 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 thinks most vaccines should be voluntary, citing 'many tragic cases of walking, talking, normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines.'"

Philip Rucker and Rosalind S. Helderman report for the Washington Post February 2, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Spreading Along With Measles: Polarization on a Hot-Button Issue" (The Upshot/New York Times)

"Medical Experts Rebuke Republican Politicians Hyping Vaccination Concerns" (Guardian)

"Chris Christie's Complicated History on Vaccines" (National Journal)

"Hillary Clinton Hits GOP With Pro-Vaccine Tweet" (CNN)

"Measles Proves Delicate Issue to G.O.P. Field" (New York Times)

"Opting Out of Vaccination Is ‘Recipe for Outbreak’" (PBS Newshour)

"Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Rand Paul Jump Into Vaccine Debate" (NPR)