Timeline of measles cases in the US vs introduction of first widely used measles vaccine.
Even as the US Centers for Disease Control
braces for a larger measles outbreak posing an especially serious threat to the sick, young and elderly, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie offered up cover for parents who are still confused about the efficacy and
safety of vaccination:
On Sunday, Obama told NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie, “You should get your kids vaccinated.” “I understand that there are families that, in some cases, are concerned about the effect of vaccinations,” Obama said. “The science is, you know, pretty indisputable. We’ve looked at this again and again. There is every reason to get vaccinated, but there aren’t reasons to not.”
Christie, however, said “there has to be a balance and it depends on what the vaccine is, what the disease type is, and all the rest.” He added, “Not every vaccine is created equal and not every disease type is as great a public health threat as others.”
While it's not clear exactly what Christie meant with that last part about balance or vaccines being equal or unequal, odds are he was trying to distance himself from Obama in any way possible. Agreeing with the president on anything could spell big problems for an aspiring GOP politician, especially one already in full campaign mode for the 2016 Republican nomination. And even on an issue where Christie and other conservative hopefuls presumably recognize the
pressing public health danger created by anti-vaccination hysteria.
Christie's office issued a clarification of dubious value Monday morning:
"To be clear: The Governor believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated," Christie's office said in a statement. "At the same time different states require different degrees of vaccination, which is why he was calling for balance in which ones government should mandate."