A measles outbreak that began in late 2014 (eventually traced back to Disneyland in California) marked what would by
advisory the outbreak had spread beyond California to six additional states and Mexico. The CDC further stated "most young physicians have never seen a case of measles," adding such doctors consequently "may not take a detailed history of travel or potential exposure and initially may not consider the diagnosis in a clinically compatible case."
The resurgence of a seemingly eliminated illness prompted both proponents and detractors of vaccines to voice their viewpoints about the outbreak. One doctor from the latter camp, an Arizona cardiologist named
Dr. Wolfson puzzled many viewers with his opinions that parents should avoid vaccinating their children, common childhood illnesses (such as measles) could be avoided by boosting the immune system in other ways, and children had a "right" to contract such illnesses:
Wolfson does not believe in vaccination. "We do not need to inject chemicals into ourselves and into our children in order to boost our immune system," he said. The cardiologist also believes the key is to have a healthy immune system. In order to have that, he says, you have to avoid chemicals, get enough sleep, exercise, take good supplements, and have proper nutrition. "I'm a big fan of what's called paleo-nutrition, so our children eat foods that our ancestors have been eating for millions of years," he said. "That's the best way to protect."
"We should be getting measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, these are the rights of our children to get it," said
Wolfson's comments were puzzling in large part because they're contrary to the advice offered by the overwhelming majority of medical doctors:
What the experts say: "The measles vaccine is one of the most highly effective vaccines that we have against any virus or any microbe, and it is safe, number one," Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. "Number two, measles is one of the top two most contagious infectious viruses that we know Then there are the critics. Of which there are many. "I'll be sending a copy of your highly irresponsible and reckless comments to the Arizona Medical Board for review," one said. "As a pediatrician who has seen unvaccinated children die from vaccine preventable diseases and also seen whooping cough go through my practice area in 2013 thanks to declining vaccination rates, you do not deserve to hold a license to practice medicine in AZ."
Whose facts is he talking about? Every respectable expert totally disagrees with him and his anti-vaccine movement and, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urges parents to get their kids vaccinated. And Wolfson himself, who has quickly become something of a spokesman for the anti-vaxxers, is in no way an expert on vaccines or infectious diseases. He's cardiologist who now does holistic medicine.
In response, Dr. Wolfson penned an article titled "Arizona Cardiologist Responds to Critics Regarding Measles and Vaccines" in which he lambasted parents for selfishly criticizing his unconventional advice rather than (in his opinion) more properly blaming everything from fast food to laundry detergents, cable TV to computers, for making their children sick:
Be angry at fast food restaurants. Tortured meat burgers, pesticide fries, and hormone milkshakes are the problem. The problem is not Hepatitis B which is a virus contracted by drug users and those who sleep with prostitutes. And you want to inject that vaccine into your newborn? Be angry at the companies who make your toxic laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets. You and your children are wearing and breathing known carcinogens (they cause cancer). Call Bounce and Downy and let them know. These products kill more people than mumps, a virus which actually doesn't cause anyone to die. Same with hepatitis A, a watery diarrhea. Be angry at your parents for not breastfeeding you, co-sleeping with you, and stuffing your face with Domino's so they can buy more Tide and finish the laundry. Breastfeeding protects your children from many infectious diseases. Be angry with your doctor for being close-minded and not disclosing the ingredients in vaccines (not that they read the package insert anyway). They should tell you about the aluminum, mercury, formaldehyde, aborted fetal tissue, animal proteins, Be angry with the cable companies and TV manufacturers for making you and your children fat and lazy, not wanting to exercise or play outside. Lack of exercise kills millions more than polio. Where are all those In fact, be angry with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates for creating computers so you can sit around all day blasted with electromagnetic radiation reading posts like this. Be angry with pharmaceutical companies for allowing us to believe living the above life can be treated with drugs. Correctly prescribed drugs kill thousands of people per year. The flu kills just about no one. The vaccine never works. Finally, be angry with yourself for not opening your eyes to the snow job and brainwashing which have taken over your mind. You NEVER asked the doctor any questions. You NEVER asked what is in the vaccines. You NEVER learned about these benign infections. Let's face it, you don't really give a crap what your children eat. You don't care about chemicals in their life. You don't care if they sit around all day watching the TV or playing video games.
Be angry at food companies. Sugar cereals, donuts, cookies, and cupcakes lead to millions of deaths per year. At its worst, chicken pox killed
As the New York Times observed, doctors who buck the medical system and tell people what they want to
Wolfson is the latest incarnation of a trend that long precedes him. Those wary of vaccinations have always latched onto any doctor who affirms their reservations, regardless of the absence of research supporting them. Before Wolfson, there was Sherri Tenpenny, an osteopath who long inveighed against vaccinations and just canceled an Australian tour, citing fears of "anti-free speech terrorists" and "pro-vaccine extremists." And before Tenpenny, there was Britain's Andrew Wakefield, who authored a
Last updated: 3 February 2015
