In what can only be described as unprecedented, over five hundred doctors representing numerous Jewish communities across North America have signed a letter confirming the need for all children and healthy adults to get immunized, according to the CDC schedule. This mass declaration by medical professionals, likely the first of its kind addressing the broad Orthodox Jewish communities nationally, directly and starkly calls out the dangerous falsehoods being spread by so-called anti-vaxxers.
The message reads:“We are aware of the dangerous misinformation campaign being spread and reject any unproven unscientific statements that contradict all available current science-based studies on vaccinations.”
What makes the statement that much more important is that it comes at a time when Jewish communities are battling not only the potential for a measles outbreak in their own backyards, but also the false perception that Orthodox Jews do not vaccinate. Indeed, statistics issued by the NYS and NYC Health departments confirm that in fact the overwhelming majority of Orthodox Jewish children are vaccinated, and the doctors in this letter are clearly aiming their unequivocal recommendations to the small percentage of people who have refused to inoculate themselves and their children from dreaded illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella and other diseases, at the expense of the larger community.
The letter is signed by recognized and trusted physicians from literally every medical specialty, and from various states including: New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Wisconsin as well as Toronto and Montreal — calling on individuals and Jewish communities to work together to “prevent harmful diseases from spreading.”
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, MD, a clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a highly respected physician and Rabbi in Long Island, was asked why he felt it was important to be one of the original co-sponsors of this unprecedented effort and why over five hundred of his medical colleagues signed onto such a public declaration. Rabbi Glatt replied, “it is critically important for the Jewish world to know that the greatest poskim from all branches of Orthodox Jewry, as well as the greatest physicians (both number and quality) are in full agreement as to the Pikuach Nefashos imperative regarding measles vaccination.”
Everyone who is able to should receive their routine immunizations, which are safe and effective,” said Shmuel Shoham, an associate professor and infectious disease specialist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who signed the petition in a personal capacity. “Otherwise, there is real danger as we are seeing with measles right now, of diseases that were once all but eliminated in the U.S. coming back.”
Doctors and Askonim are also increasing efforts to inform adults in the wider community to check their own existing immunity levels, because many adults are under the impression that they are properly protected when in reality their childhood immunization may no longer be effective due to a wearing off of the vaccine. Doctors are fearful that this is a potential danger to thousands of unsuspecting individuals.
“With the measles outbreak now hitting communities like Detroit, and Baltimore and still very active in Rockland County and Brooklyn, the need to protect ourselves and each other has become of paramount concern” said Dr. Edward Bennett a popular emergency medicine physician from Queens and an original sponsor of the letter. Dr. Bennett continued, “people think they are in the clear because they were vaccinated as children but unfortunately we are seeing numerous cases of healthy adults born in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s who are now taking their titers test, a blood test to measure immunity, and coming back with negative immunity to one or more of the diseases. This requires an immediate booster shot.
“Bennett concluded, “checking your titers is something everyone can easily do and should be an immediate priority, especially if you are traveling.”
One prominent pediatrician with thousands of patients didn’t want to be named for fear of harassment by extremist anti-vaxxers. He said “it is clear that the tide is now turning and after this public declaration letter, no longer will fringe elements be able to freely dismiss the peer reviewed and universally accepted positions of renowned medical experts in our own community. People should pay attention to the trusted medical professionals they have always turned to in times of medical crisis.”
YWN has learned that The Doctors declaration is being featured in a mass public information campaign with the participation of numerous media outlets and includes the launching of a new website www.DRSFORVAAX.ORG that will provide viewers with an expanded Doctors list, location, credentials, specialties and updated and timely information on immunization.
Stay tuned to YWN for more information……
CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER FROM THE DOCTORS
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SIGNATURES
An unprecedented move, but a time-tested message: trust your doctors and vaccinate your child. It’s safe, it’s effective, it works. https://t.co/OmwacUMIh7
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) April 16, 2019
The consensus from the medical community is clear: #VaccinesWork. Powerful messages like these will help us get the facts out about the safety and efficacy of vaccines so we can end this #measles outbreak. @YWN https://t.co/bdFVNsGZrf
— Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, MD, PhD (@NYCHealthCommr) April 16, 2019
Powerful statement from 500+ doctors serving Jewish communities around NYC and beyond, with an urgent call for vaccination. This is exactly the kind of unambiguous messaging we need to push out if we are going to end the #measlesoutbreak. https://t.co/tlGz4r7umg pic.twitter.com/APLf4FLAP7
— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) April 16, 2019
I thank all of the doctors and medical professionals who are fighting back against the #measlesoutbreak with facts. We need to continue to share the facts and counter the falsehoods. Our families' health and safety depend on continued fact-based outreach. https://t.co/v7FV8OYsio
— Eric Adams (@BKBoroHall) April 16, 2019
There is no question – you trust medical professionals for everything else. Get vaccinated!
Thank you @YWN, for providing continuous coverage on this issue.https://t.co/AUXxoxybFR
— Simcha Eichenstein (@SEichenstein) April 16, 2019
As straightforward a message as can be: VACCINATE!
Over FIVE HUNDRED Doctors Serving Jewish Communities Across North America Say “VACCINATE”! https://t.co/P3COFUrt89 via @@ywn
— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) April 16, 2019
UNPRECEDENTED: Over FIVE HUNDRED Doctors Serving Jewish Communities Across North America Say “VACCINATE”! | Yeshiva World News https://t.co/QVU4dPKU33
— Senator Simcha Felder (@NYSenatorFelder) April 16, 2019
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE CDC:
Q: I’ve been exposed to someone who has measles. What should I do?
A: Immediately call your doctor and let him or her know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your doctor can
- determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence, and
- make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.
If you are not immune to measles, MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk developing measles. Your doctor can help to advise you, and monitor you for signs and symptoms of measles.
If you do not get MMR or immune globulin, you should stay away from settings where there are susceptible people (such as school, hospital, or childcare) until your doctor says it’s okay to return. This will help ensure that you do not spread it to others.
Q: Am I protected against measles?
A: CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:
- You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)—
- school-aged child (grades K-12)
- adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers.
- You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)—
- preschool-aged child
- adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission.
- A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
- A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
- You were born before 1957.
Q: What should I do if I’m unsure whether I’m immune to measles?
A: If you’re unsure whether you’re immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Another option is to have a doctor test your blood to determine whether you’re immune. But this option is likely to cost more and will take two doctor’s visits. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella).
READ MORE:
[NYC TAKES ACTION: Forces Closure of Satmar Child Care Center in Williamsburg Over Measles Outbreak]
[Hatzolah in NYC Joins Fight Against The Measles Outbreak – GET VACCINATED NOW]
[HISTORIC: Satmar Paper “Der Yid” Publishes Editorial in ENGLISH Blasting Anti-Vaxxers]
[HATE: NYC Bus Driver Makes Anti-Semitic ‘Measles’ Remark Towards Hasidic Man in Williamsburg]
[WATCH THIS: Williamsburg Anti-Vaxxer Mothers Give Media Shocking Interview]
[ANOTHER GENIUS: Watch This Williamsburg Anti-Vaxxer “Community Activist” Give Media Interview]
(Charles Weiss – YWN)
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27 Responses
Dr. Bulmash of Boro PArk, where are you? You are not on this list yet… Some Boro Park pediatricians are still critically missing. Drs. Bulmash and Roth you should be on this list… AS well as Dr. Rajaram and Dr. Sasha Abram, both who service some of the anti-vaxxers in the Boro Park community.
Meaningless. If there are no placebo studies how can you say it’s not causing the rise we see in allergies, athsma etc?!
There’s no placebo studies because anyone with half a brain gets the vaccine.
This isn’t a weight loss pill, its a matter of life and death.
It bugs me out how people can be so dumb. Measles is dangerous and deadly. Better to have a child with autism (which there has been ZERO proof the measles vaccine causes this) then to bury a child. R”L
This isn’t complicated science. Every normal doctor in the world has said to get the vaccine. Literally every single doctor.
Just Get The Stupid Vaccine already, and stop causing a chilul Hashem
Unless I am mistaken anyone can put any doctor’s name on that site. Doesnt seem as legit as it should be that the dr’s signed the declaration.
What order are the names? It’s not alphabetical. Its hard to see who is or isn’t on the list.
> only the truth
So would you care to present us with your credentials as to how you know all scientific literature that enables you make such a blanket statement as “there are no placebo studies”?
As I know nothing about such matters I decided to do a quick internet search. The National Institute of Health on the government web site (“.gov” domain) has, for one example, in 1986 “a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 581 twin pairs” for MMR with live virus. One finding was that “respiratory symptoms, nausea, and vomiting were observed more frequently in the placebo-injected group than in the MMR vaccinated group.”
Now, please give us you source.
Anti-Vaxeers ,
If Moshe Rabenu told vaccine your children, would you?
It won’t make a difference with this epidemic!
The only thing that will make a difference is – if all the Rabbonim & all the schools get behind the Vaccine movement.
We have so many שונאים in the world, why must we do stupid things and develop yet more שונאים. How can parents out their children and others at risk!
My question is is there a test to see if the vaccine I got is still effective? How can I know?
@Yiddeshe Tuchter – every doctor was vetted before being allowed onto the group. Unlike the anti-vaxxers who regularly use the names of Rabbonim in their pack of lies. Like last night in a robocall.
In my opinion it’s worth it to get vaccinated just because if yaapchiks point.
To Yaapchik,
You can take the “Titer Test”. It will show you if you are still immune to the disease. It’s a fairly simple and quick blood test. As your doctor.
Israeli doctors need to do the same.
@Yappchik,
There is a blood test that tells you if you are still immune to it.
I’m sorry if I aggravated anyone, but do the research.
Hey, so basically they are now saying that the concept of Herd Immunity does not exist? The ‘herd’ is not protected- with so many vaccinated adults walking around without immunity. I always felt an obligation to vaccinate to protect the ‘herd’. But if such a large percentage of adults are not immune, why are we so worried about a small percentage of unvaccinated kids? If childhood vaccines don’t provide a blanket ‘herd immunity’ to the community, then it’s ‘every man for himself’- you don’t want measles, get the shot- you don’t mind measles, then don’t get it.
I am a medical school professor but with a PhD in Biostatistics, not an MD. I endorse this message.
@only the truth, how can allergies or asthama be compared to measles with all its complications or even death??? Give the vaccines! Halacha mandates we should.then trust in Hashem that following torah guidelines will keep us all healthy.Either way we need to trust Him to keep our families safe and healthy so follow psak halacha of rav zinner and many other rabbonim and do the right thing ,VACCINATE!
only the truth and Anti-Vaxxers,
What will it take for you to vaccine your children? How many deaths? How many children with permanent injury? How many doctors? How many Rabbis? Will it take a prophecy from HaShem Himself?
Of course I did the research and it proves, in all but medical reasons, your are OBLIGATED al pe Halacha to get vaccinated. Other than that, are you an Orthodox Jew?
Please do not tell me that I hate other Jews, I am just saying my halachic analysis.
only the truth -“I’m sorry if I aggravated anyone, but do the research.”
WE DID! Maybe you Antivaxxers should do some Soul Searching?!?
@Some Common Sense, “I am just saying my halachic analysis” halacha mandates that you hear both sides of the argument from both sides, not that you both sides of the argument from one side.
@onlythetruth
What is your argument? what is your basis for being on your side of the vax/anti vax position.
I have seen the medical proof, the studies, the halachic statements all pro vacinate.
Can you please share a website? a video? a lecture? something that validates anti vaxers positions?
Only the truth,
What do you consider ‘the other side’.
There has been an extensive discussion on the ywn coffee room, many anti vaaxers tried really hard to repeat the nonsense of ‘the other side’ yet every claim was satisfied and their lies exposed.
only the truth,
Do you think I’m an Am HaEretz? Of course, I heard both sides and after that, my previous statement stands. So, now you answer my question: what will it take for you to vaccinate your children and grandchildren?
@Some Common Sense, very simple. A study comparing vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children.
by the way why are people scared of measles death- i am sure that my parents dont know anyone who died of measles- hafuch- they adn all their friends had measles. again- if you have it as a kid you are not in danger as an adult.
davka when i hear stories of adults who are really sick with measles i wish my kdis could get them now and not be immune and then in 30 years have the affects of the vaccine wear off and get it as an adult.
just somemore food for thought.
My wife signed the letter but they have not added her to the list yet.