Measles outbreak: anti-vaccination mother defends "medical freedom"

Health officials fear that Americans traveling for religious holidays this weekend will worsen the situation growing epidemic of measles. According to the CDC, there are at least 555 confirmed cases in 20 states, and most would involve children of school age.

A New York judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging an emergency statement asking residents of some hard-hit areas to get vaccinated. Although compulsory vaccinations are still in effect, the judge has withdrawn the criminal sanctions order. New York City has issued civil summons of up to $ 1,000 to three parents for not vaccinating their children.

Mola Lenghi, of CBS News, has been talking to one of the parents who is suing New York City, which faces the country's largest measles outbreak, over the years. an order to prohibit public access to unvaccinated persons.

"They said they would not be bullied, they were very brave people who came forward," said lawyer Robert Krakow, who represents the families in the lawsuit. "We are all for the appropriate measures to control an epidemic of disease … but New Yorkers will accept criminal sanctions for vaccination, it is not appropriate.People have the right to make their choice. "

The epidemic primarily affects highly concentrated ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Williamsburg, where more than 250 cases have been reported in the last seven months.

The city has ordered people over six months of age who live or go to school in parts of Williamsburg to be vaccinated or face a $ 1,000 fine. And in Rockland County, people infected with measles must avoid public places and stay at home for 21 days. Failure to do so may result in a fine of two thousand dollars per violation per day.

One of the parents involved in the lawsuit, who did not want his identity to be revealed, said that it was not about religion but about his rights and that he thought that She did what was best for her child.

"It's about consent and medical freedom," she said. "I teach my child that our body is ours.We can say when and where, yes or no, whether in the workplace or in an intimate moment.This does not stop because that the government says that we have to do x, y or z. "

She also stated that she cared a lot about other children's health, but she thought that hers was healthy and that she would not expose her child if it was not not the case.

On Wednesday, the Washington State Senate passed a measure to remove the option allowing parents not to vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella.