NYC threatens to close yeshivas who let unvaccinated students in

New York City ordered the yeshivas of a highly orthodox Jewish section of Brooklyn to exclude all unvaccinated students from measles or facing possible violations and closure.

The orders of the municipal health department addressed to all yeshivas in Williamburg come in the context of a measles epidemic. 285 cases have been recorded in Brooklyn and Queens since October, most involving members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

"Any non-compliant school will be immediately imposed a violation," said Monday the Department of Health.

The outbreak began when an unvaccinated child contracted measles during a visit to Israel, where a major epidemic of the disease is occurring, says the health department on its website. . "Since then, new people from Brooklyn and Queens have been vaccinated and contracted measles while in Israel."

The vast majority of measles cases in Brooklyn and Queens involve children under 18, the statement said Monday.

Measles causes fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rashes, and complications that can lead to brain swelling and death.

In December, the Department of Health issued a directive requiring yeshivas and childcare centers in parts of Borough Park and Williamsburg neighborhoods in Brooklyn to exclude students who have not been vaccinated against measles, mumps and mumps. and rubella (MMR), the statement said.

A month later, a Williamsburg yeshiva no longer conforms and allows unvaccinated children to return to school or to babysitting. This simple yeshiva is linked to more than 40 cases, the statement said Monday.

Debates within the Orthodox Jewish community about vaccinations stem from Torah teachings that followers should not cause harm to the body because it is a gift from God.

Some consider that the low risks associated with vaccines and the risk of contracting diseases that "have been largely eliminated" are equal, and thus subscribe to the Talmudic saying which means "in some cases of doubt, it is better to do nothing. ", according to Rabbi Yehuda Shurpin, content editor for Chabad.org.

But some New York rabbis have called on parents to take action and vaccinate their children.

"It is said in the Torah & # 39; nishmartem Meod L & # 39; nafshoseichem, & quot; a person must protect his health, & quot; Rabbi David Niederman of North Brooklyn, according to a statement from the Department of Health.

"The need for parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated, especially against measles, is clearly established," he said.