Anti-vaxxers sue city over mandatory measles vaccination
Lawsuit filed on behalf of Williamsburg parents
An anti-vaxxer organization representing the parents of five unvaccinated children in Williamsburg filed a lawsuit against the city on Monday, asking a judge to vacate a mandate put out last week requiring mandatory measles vaccinations for residents in certain Brooklyn ZIP codes.
Robert Krakow, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Patricia Finn of Children’s Health Defense filed the litigation against the New York City Department of Health and Human Hygiene. It calls for a temporary restraining order, labeling the mandate “capricious, contrary to law” and exceeding “lawful authority.”
On April 9, New York City declared a public health emergency, ordering mandatory measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations for residents in parts of Williamsburg as the number of confirmed cases for the infection rose to 285 since Sept. 30.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said individuals and parents who ignored the order would be fined up to $1,000 and be questioned by “disease detectives.” The outbreak is primarily affecting the Orthodox Jewish community.