Teen who defied parents to get vaccinated heads to US Congress

A US high school student who had himself vaccinated despite his parents’ objections is set to testify Tuesday before the US Congress about a surge in outbreaks of preventable diseases. Ethan Lindenberger says he grew up in an “anti-vax household,” but decided to go against his parents’ wishes to get vaccinated once he turned 18 and was able to legally make the decision for himself.

The teen’s decision generated international headlines at a time when health experts are warning of a global surge in measles cases -- preventable by vaccine -- brought on by conflict, complacency and the anti-vaccine movement. Lindenberger, who lives in Norwalk, Ohio, announced over the weekend that he was invited to testify at a Tuesday hearing in the US Senate over preventable disease outbreaks.

He is scheduled to address the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, along with several health experts. Parents in 17 states are allowed to opt out of vaccinations for their children because of their personal beliefs. Medical and religious reasons also can be cited to forego vaccinations. “My mom didn’t believe that vaccines were beneficial to the health and safety of society, and believes that they cause autism, brain damage and other complications,” Lindenberger said in a YouTube video posted over the weekend. Ninety-eight countries reported more cases of measles in 2018 compared with 2017.