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Facebook groups in the US are selling batches of lollipops to parents who are fearful of Chickenpox vaccinations- the lollipops are laced with spit from an infected child, and retail for $50. Federal authorities who have heard of the groups are now saying that the organizers could face criminal charges, as legislation makes mailing infectious diseases such as anthrax illegal.
A specialist has said the items are sought by parents who don't want to give their children vaccines. He said he could neither confirm nor deny that his office is investigating or seeking charges against anyone.
"Find a pox party in your area"
According to TV reports, parents have turned to a Facebook group called "Find a Pox Party in Your Area" to link up people looking to share the virus.
One of the Facebook postings from Wendy Werkit of Nashville offered a "fresh batch of pox in Nashville shipping of suckers, spit and Q-tips available tomorrow 50 dollars via PayPal."
Werkit said that the money was used to cover the shipping costs of the lollipops had been licked by her children.
"They can't get (chickenpox) the normal way anymore of just naturally catching it and getting the immunity for life," Werkit said.
Even more worryingly, people are said to have started mailing measles- a disease with a far higher mortality rate.
An arrest and conviction for mailing a chickenpox-laced lollipop could land the guilty party from one to twenty years in prison.
The report highlights the extent to which parents are desperate to avoid having their children vaccinated.
What do you think? Should parents have the freedom to order chickenpox-pops through the mail?
A specialist has said the items are sought by parents who don't want to give their children vaccines. He said he could neither confirm nor deny that his office is investigating or seeking charges against anyone.
"Find a pox party in your area"
According to TV reports, parents have turned to a Facebook group called "Find a Pox Party in Your Area" to link up people looking to share the virus.
One of the Facebook postings from Wendy Werkit of Nashville offered a "fresh batch of pox in Nashville shipping of suckers, spit and Q-tips available tomorrow 50 dollars via PayPal."
Werkit said that the money was used to cover the shipping costs of the lollipops had been licked by her children.
"They can't get (chickenpox) the normal way anymore of just naturally catching it and getting the immunity for life," Werkit said.
Even more worryingly, people are said to have started mailing measles- a disease with a far higher mortality rate.
An arrest and conviction for mailing a chickenpox-laced lollipop could land the guilty party from one to twenty years in prison.
The report highlights the extent to which parents are desperate to avoid having their children vaccinated.
What do you think? Should parents have the freedom to order chickenpox-pops through the mail?
