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A SECT of conservative Christians in Chilliwack, who
refuse to allow vaccinations, have been linked to an outbreak of mumps in
British Columbia.
The Fraser Health Authority has refused to name the
group involved, but medical officer Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin said the group
interprets scripture to believe that immunization shows a lack of faith in
God’s ability to provide protection.
Vancouver Sun religion
writer Douglas Todd identified the group as Dutch Reformed Christians with
a strong belief in God’s providence.
However, while all Dutch Reformed believe in divine
providence, opposition to vaccinations is an application of that theology
that is held by what one Dutch Reformed pastor in Chilliwack described as
“only a small community within the community.” He said his
congregation also trusts in God’s protection but “we use the
means that God has made available.”
Another pastor said that that about 10 percent of the
members of his congregation are opposed to vaccinations for theological
reasons, about 10 percent are opposed for medical reasons, and the rest of
the congregation accept vaccinations.
The disease was brought to Chilliwack in February 2008
by two people from Lethbridge, Alberta, who were visiting the Christian
community in question.
The disease spread rapidly among those who had not been
vaccinated and then spread throughout the Lower Mainland, with about 200
cases reported by the end of August.
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UBC professor Michael McDonald told Todd that the
religious community may be ethically required to accept vaccinations to
protect their children and members of the larger society and that this
might be a justifiable “limit to religious freedom.”
However, Brodkin said forced vaccinations “will
not happen” – because in Canada “we put a lot of
importance on the rights of the individual . . . There is no mandatory
vaccination in British Columbia for any reason.”
Further information is available at:
www.fraserhealth.ca
– Jim Coggins
October 2008
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