Rav Ben Zion Mutzafi was asked about the issue of vaccinations and about those who claim that it is forbidden to vaccinate. He responded firmly: “Vaccinate — do not play with the lives of infants.”

Rav Mutzafi, one of the leading Sephardic halachic authorities, called on the public not to pay attention to rumor-mongers and to make sure their children are vaccinated. He made these remarks in response to questions sent to him about vaccinations, against the backdrop of the deaths of several unvaccinated children from the chareidi community due to measles.

The Question: “Hello, honorable rabbi, may he live long. There are many opinions regarding vaccinations for children. Some Torah scholars and some doctors say to vaccinate and bring sources, and some say not to vaccinate and also bring sources. What does the rabbi say?”

The Response: “Many idle words have been written. The danger is great and one must vaccinate. Do not play with the lives of infants.”

The Question: “Hello to the honorable rabbi. I stopped taking my one-year-old son to the well-baby clinic to receive vaccinations because I am concerned. I have heard that there are negative effects from vaccines.”

The Response: “When you withhold vaccinations from him, you are endangering his life. Everyone does this, and that is how epidemics are prevented.”

As previously reported, a six-year-old child who had not been vaccinated against measles passed away last night at a hospital, the Health Ministry announced.

According to the ministry, the child was brought to the hospital in critical condition, and doctors were forced to declare his death after prolonged resuscitation efforts. The Health Ministry stated in this context that “Vaccination and arriving in time to receive medical treatment can save lives.”

This case joins reports of 15 additional deaths from the disease, the overwhelming majority of them children and infants who had been healthy and had no prior underlying medical conditions but had not been vaccinated against the virus.

The Health Ministry reiterated that “Measles can be prevented through an effective and safe vaccine — one that saves lives.”

{Matzav.com}