Chicken Pox Lollipops? You've Got to be Kidding!

I don't quite know what to make of the ripples in the blogosphere over stories that some parents are so eager to avoid vaccines that they are buying chicken pox infected lollipops from strangers. The Associated Press reported:

Parents fearful of vaccinations are being warned by a federal prosecutor that making a deal with a stranger who promises to mail them lollipops licked by children with chickenpox isn't just a bad idea, it's against the law.

Jerry Martin, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, said he was spurred by reports this week by KPHO-TV in Phoenix and WSMV-TV in Nashville about people turning to Facebook to find lollipops, spit or other items from children who have chickenpox.

"Can you imagine getting a package in the mail from this complete stranger that you know from Facebook because you joined a group, and say here, drink this purported spit from some other kid?" Martin told the Associated Press.

Actually, to answer Martin's question: No.

Back before the vaccine was available friends of mine did in fact send their young kids to play with other infected children at so-called chicken pox parties. But folks, this is the 21st century!

Disclosure: I got my chicken pox immunity the old-fashioned way and as a result will be getting vaccinated against shingles eventually.