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Health & Fitness

Measles Outbreak Now A Danger

Here in New Hampshire, we take our freedom to choose our lifestyles pretty seriously. But every so often, there’s an issue that could mean someone’s choice on something could, in fact, poise a danger to others for which others have no awareness that they may be being placed in jeopardy.

I believe that immunizations fall into that category. Throughout the country and here in New Hampshire, there are people who are passionately opposed to immunizations because they believe that many are dangerous and harmful.  Although many diseases have been eradicated through widespread and focused inoculation programs, immunization opponents nevertheless believe that the minority of adverse reactions to certain vaccines merits their decision to ignore important public health measures.

Those who have not been immunized and subsequently contract an avoidable and communicable illness can be deadly to those who are exposed to them. The very young and the very old are at especially high risk, as are people with certain illnesses and diseases. I’m someone with an illness who can be affected by an exposure. Thus, someone else’s freedom to choose whether or not to be immunized could end my life. I’ve got a real problem with accepting that nonchalance on the part of another. How about you?

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A few months ago, we taped two “Tell It Like It Is” shows on the subject of immunizations - - - one in support of, the other opposed. On the Issues page of

the show’s website, both shows can be seen at www.tellitlikeitisnh.com . I urge you in particular to watch “Immunizations: The Case For” with well-known physician and vaccine expert Dr. David Fredenburg. Bedford residents can until Thursday evening also watch the re-broadcast of the show on BCTV Channel 16.

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Right now, there are large measles outbreaks in New York City and in California. Should the outbreaks spread, millions of people could be endangered, including me, by these totally unnecessary and ridiculous outbreaks. The choice of others may bring danger to my doorstep and to yours too – a danger for which we have no defense.

I’m beginning to think that the freedom to choose to be immunized should be regarded and handled similarly as the freedom to swallow a bottle of gin and then drive away in your car. Nobody has the “right” to impose such jeopardy on the rest of us.

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