Trend: Parents selling chicken pox-tainted lollipops
Updated: Nov. 09, 2011
It’s certainly not strange to offer your child a lollipop after they receive a shot. But handing your kid a
It’s certainly not strange to offer your child a lollipop after they receive a shot. But handing your kid a lollipop in place of a vaccine shot’and a chicken pox-tainted lollipop at that’has emerged as a scary and dangerous new trend among parents who are against vaccinations.
Some parents are reportedly seeking out lollipops, spit or other items from children sick with the chicken pox virus. The idea is that by exposing children to the virus "naturally," their children will acquire the virus and (presuming there are no complications) develop immunity.
Previously, "pox parties" have been popular among anti-vaccine parents, but handing your child a lollipop supposedly licked by another sick child is a huge (and potentially dangerous) leap. There’s no telling where these mail-order lollipops have come from and experts warn they could carry more dangerous viruses, such as hepatitis.
Nashville mom, Wendy Werkit reportedly advertised a fresh batch of chicken pox-infected suckers on the wall of a Facebook group called "Find a Pox Party in Your Area." According to Time.com, she was advertising the lollipops for a fee of U.S. $50, which she says was to cover the cost of shipping.
What’s your view on pox parties or chicken pox-tainted lollipops?
Related:
‘ 8 immunizations for adults
‘ Virus alert: What viruses really do to your body
‘ Should you get the flu shot?
