[I debated which blog to post this to and came down on the side of science and technology, though there’s certainly a religious and political angle to consider.]

Measles is back. There is no scientific evidence — beyond the ramblings of a few celebrities and anti-science wackjobs — that vaccines cause autism. There is unquestionable evidence that measles causes measles.

Measles is very contagious and potentially deadly. Vaccination does a pretty good job of prevention, although its effectiveness is reduced if other parents decide not to vaccinate their kids and measles becomes more prevalent in your community. There is, unfortunately, no vaccine against stupidity — besides education, that is.

Bottom line: if you choose not to vaccinate your children, you are committing child abuse, against your children and mine, in the same as way parents who let their children die without medical care.

If you are concerned about stories you’ve heard about mercury in MMR vaccines, then demand a vaccine without mercury. Don’t stick your head in the sand.