Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas

<!doctype html> <html class="no-js" lang="en-US" prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# article: http://ogp.me/ns/article#">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=7YQSqjSh" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php","20210211064225","https://web.archive.org/","web","https://web-static.archive.org/_static/", "1613025745"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=p7PEIJWi" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />     <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20210211064225js_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/js/core/libs/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225js_/http://treg.hearstnp.com/treg.js"></script> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">  <meta property="sailthru.title" content="Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas"/><meta name="sailthru.date" content="2015-09-17 17:45:00 -0500"/><meta name="sailthru.author" content="Jinny Suh"/><meta name="sailthru_uid" content="6512280"/><meta name="sailthru_pubname" content="houston-chronicle"/><meta name="sailthru_siteid" content="33"/><meta name="sailthru_isPremium" content="true"/><meta name="sailthru.image.thumb" content="https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/sailthruImage.jpg"/>  <title>Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas</title> <script> if ( document.location.hostname.match(/\.$/) ) { document.location.replace( document.location.protocol + '//' + document.location.hostname.replace(/\.+$/, '') + ( undefined !== document.location.pathname ? document.location.pathname : '' ) + ( undefined !== document.location.search ? document.location.search : '' ) + ( undefined !== document.location.hash ? document.location.hash : '' ) ); } </script> <script> var HDN = HDN || {}; HDN.t_firstbyte = Number(new Date()); HDN.dataLayer = HDN.dataLayer || {}; HDN.dataLayer.content = HDN.dataLayer.content || {}; HDN.dataLayer.paywall = HDN.dataLayer.paywall || {}; HDN.dataLayer.paywall.accessRule = ""; HDN.dataLayer.paywall.mode = ""; var Article = { "id": "6512280", "title": "Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php", "slug": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php", "summary": "[...] it could only be described as fear-mongering. The ill-informed and disproven...", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/rawImage.jpg", "keywords": "child,public health,primal instinct,health,public health concern,ageappropriate vaccine series,childhood vaccination,immunization,population centers,vaccination policy,childhood immunization,parents,immunization rates,policy drivers,public,healthcare providers,onschedule immunizations,irresponsible rhetoric,science,provaccine parents,disproven theory,family,children,parent and child,preventative medicine,communicable diseases,health organisations", "siteName": "Houston Chronicle", "env": "pwcm6", "comments": true, "isSensitive": false, 'version': "v11.3.8", "renderNLP": true, "timing": { "firstbyte": HDN.t_firstbyte, "ready": {} } }; document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () { Article.timing.ready = Number(new Date()); }, false); </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> // <![CDATA[ var HDN = HDN || {}; HDN.dataLayer = HDN.dataLayer || {}; // HDN.dataLayer object for content and href data HDN.dataLayer.content = HDN.dataLayer.content || {}; HDN.dataLayer.href = HDN.dataLayer.href || {}; HDN.dataLayer.content.title = "Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas"; HDN.dataLayer.content.subtitle = ""; HDN.dataLayer.content.objectId = "6512280"; HDN.dataLayer.content.objectType = "article"; HDN.dataLayer.content.sectionPath = ['opinion', 'outlook']; HDN.dataLayer.content.pubDate = "2015-09-17 22:20:00"; HDN.dataLayer.content.lastModifiedDate = "2015-09-17 22:45:28"; HDN.dataLayer.content.wordCount = 0; HDN.dataLayer.content.paragraphCount = 0; HDN.dataLayer.content.keywords = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keySubjects = ['Opinion Outlook']; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyCategoryTags = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyPersons = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyOrganizations = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyConcepts = ['child','public health','primal instinct','health','public health concern','ageappropriate vaccine series','childhood vaccination','immunization','population centers','vaccination policy','childhood immunization','parents','immunization rates','policy drivers','public','healthcare providers','onschedule immunizations','irresponsible rhetoric','science','provaccine parents','disproven theory','family']; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyCategories = ['children','parent and child','preventative medicine','family','communicable diseases','health organisations']; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyPlaces = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpCategories = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpPerson = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpLocation = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpOrganization = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpEvent = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpWorkOfArt = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpConsumerGood = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpOther = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.keyNlpUnknown = []; HDN.dataLayer.content.designTemplate = "design/article/dynamic_two_column.tpl"; // HDN.dataLayer object for source information HDN.dataLayer.source = HDN.dataLayer.source || {}; HDN.dataLayer.source.authorName = "Jinny Suh"; HDN.dataLayer.source.authorTitle = ""; HDN.dataLayer.source.originalSourceSite = "HC"; HDN.dataLayer.source.publishingSite = "premiumchron"; HDN.dataLayer.source.sourceSite = "chron"; // HDN.dataLayer object for sharing information HDN.dataLayer.sharing = HDN.dataLayer.sharing || {}; HDN.dataLayer.sharing.openGraphUrl = "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php"; HDN.dataLayer.sharing.openGraphType = "article"; HDN.dataLayer.href.pageUrl = "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php"; HDN.dataLayer.href.canonicalUrl = "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php"; HDN.dataLayer.href.pageUrlPath = window.location.pathname; HDN.dataLayer.href.pageUrlPathFolders = window.location.pathname.replace(/[A-Za-z0-9-_.]+$/, ''); HDN.dataLayer.href.pageUrlQueryParams = window.location.search.replace(/^\?/, ''); HDN.dataLayer.href.pageUrlHash = window.location.hash; // HDN.dataLayer object for site HDN.dataLayer.site = HDN.dataLayer.site || {}; // "geoloc" and "geocites" used for weather and other location based functionality HDN.dataLayer.site.geoloc = "houston"; // Include comments data for page use HDN.dataLayer.site.commentsType = 'spotim'; HDN.dataLayer.site.commentSiteKey = 'sp_NxITuoE4'; HDN.dataLayer.site.entitledComments = ''; HDN.dataLayer.site.sailthruId = '48e30b5083cf6bf47c519651453c9e8a'; HDN.dataLayer.site.recaptchaKey = '6LdfZ1YUAAAAAKaNQ3lmSRWa-DnE4Y3AE55RpFFA'; // HDN.dataLayer object for presentation information HDN.dataLayer.presentation = HDN.dataLayer.presentation || {}; HDN.dataLayer.presentation.hasSlideshow = false; HDN.dataLayer.presentation.hasSlideshowListView = false; HDN.dataLayer.presentation.hasVideo = false; HDN.dataLayer.presentation.hasInteractive = true; // HDN.dataLayer object for paywall information HDN.dataLayer.paywall = HDN.dataLayer.paywall || {}; HDN.dataLayer.paywall.premiumStatus = "isPremium"; HDN.dataLayer.paywall.premiumEndDate = "2037-01-01 06:00:00"; HDN.dataLayer.content.displayTemplate = ""; (function() { var cookie = "hnpdiudpf2" + "="; var decodedCookie = decodeURIComponent(document.cookie).split(";"); HDN.dataLayer.identity = HDN.dataLayer.identity || {}; for(var i = 0; i < decodedCookie.length; i++) { var c = decodedCookie[i]; while(c.charAt(0) == ' ' && c.typeOf == undefined) { c = c.substring(1); } if(c.indexOf(cookie) == 0 && c.typeOf == undefined) { HDN.dataLayer.identity.firstPartyId = c.substring(cookie.length, c.length); break; } } })(); // paymeter HDN.dataLayer.paywall.policy = "meter"; HDN.dataLayer.revenueProfiles = {"profiles":{"nonsub":{"dump":{"value":false},"refresh":{"value":true},"interactiveInterval":{"value":"5"},"passiveInterval":{"value":"0"},"scrollInterval":{"value":"0"},"sequence":{"value":"2, 4"},"columnA":{"leaderboard":{"id":"Crown","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"adhesive":{"id":"Flex1","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"footerboard":{"id":"B728","render":false,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"adhesion":{"id":"MAD","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false}},"columnB":{"B0":{"id":"TMP300_3","render":false,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":1,"rightRail":false},"B1":{"id":"A300","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":2,"rightRail":true},"B2":{"id":"CONCERT1","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"B3":{"id":"B300","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":4,"rightRail":true},"B4":{"id":"CONCERT2","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":5,"rightRail":false},"B5":{"id":"S300","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":6,"rightRail":true}},"columnC":{"NATIVO":{"id":"NTV7ARD","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false}},"interstitials":{"value":""}},"sub":{"dump":{"value":false},"refresh":{"value":true},"interactiveInterval":{"value":"5"},"passiveInterval":{"value":"0"},"scrollInterval":{"value":"0"},"sequence":{"value":"2, 4"},"columnA":{"leaderboard":{"id":"Crown","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"adhesive":{"id":"Flex1","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"footerboard":{"id":"B728","render":false,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"adhesion":{"id":"MAD","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false}},"columnB":{"B0":{"id":"TMP300_3","render":false,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":1,"rightRail":false},"B1":{"id":"A300","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":2,"rightRail":true},"B2":{"id":"CONCERT1","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false},"B3":{"id":"B300","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":4,"rightRail":true},"B4":{"id":"CONCERT2","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":5,"rightRail":false},"B5":{"id":"S300","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":6,"rightRail":true}},"columnC":{"NATIVO":{"id":"NTV7ARD","render":true,"interstitial":false,"value":10,"weight":3,"rightRail":false}},"interstitials":{"value":""}}}}; HDN.dataLayer.ads = HDN.dataLayer.ads || {}; HDN.dataLayer.ads.loaded = false; HDN.dataLayer.ads.videoBidding = true; HDN.abData = {}; (function () { var findAbNames = function() { var cookies=document.cookie.split(';'); var c,s,t; for ( var asdf = 0 ; asdf < cookies.length ; asdf++ ) { c = cookies[asdf].trim(); if ( 0 === c.indexOf('ab_name_') ) { s = c.split('='); if ( 2 === s.length ) { HDN.abData['_hasData'] = 1; if ( undefined === HDN.abData[s[0].substr(8)] ) { HDN.abData[s[0].substr(8)] = ( 'A' === s[1] ? 'C' : 'V1' ); } } } } }; findAbNames(); if ( HDN.abData['_hasData'] ) { delete(HDN.abData['_hasData']); HDN.dataLayer.abtest = HDN.dataLayer.abtest || {}; HDN.dataLayer.abtest.experimentId = HDN.dataLayer.abtest.experimentId || []; window.aps = window.aps || {}; window.aps.abtest = window.aps.abtest || ''; var abDataTmp = [] for ( var abDataKey in HDN.abData ) { abDataTmp.push(abDataKey + '_' + HDN.abData[abDataKey]); } HDN.dataLayer.abtest.experimentId = HDN.dataLayer.abtest.experimentId.concat(abDataTmp); if ( window.aps.abtest ) { window.aps.abtest += ','; } window.aps.abtest += abDataTmp.join(','); } })(); if ( HDN.activeABTest && HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles ) { if ( HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files ) { if ( HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files.css && HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files.css['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_css'] ) { (function () { var l = document.createElement('link'); l.rel = 'stylesheet'; l.type = 'text/css'; l.media = 'all'; l.href = HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files.css['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_css']; document.head.appendChild(l); })(); } if ( HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files.js && HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files.js['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_js'] ) { (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.src = HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.files.js['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_js']; s.async = false; s.defer = true; document.head.appendChild(s); })(); } } if ( HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.items ) { if ( HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.items['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_css'] ) { (function () { var s = document.createElement('style'); s.id = HDN.activeABTest + '_css_style_element'; s.type = 'text/css'; s.appendChild(document.createTextNode(HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.items['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_css'])); document.head.appendChild(s); })(); } if ( HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.items['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_js'] ) { (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.text = HDN.dataLayer.abTestProfiles.items['profiles_' + HDN.activeABTest + '_js']; document.head.appendChild(s); })(); } } } // ]]> </script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20210211064225js_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/js/site.js?v11.3.8"></script>     <style> @media only screen and (max-width: 767px) { main.article { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); } } .leaderboard--outer, .pageHeader .adhesive--outer, main.contentChannel { overflow-x: hidden; } @media (min-width: 768px) { .leaderboard--outer, .pageHeader .adhesive--outer, main.contentChannel { overflow-x: visible; } } </style>      <style>@media (min-width: 48rem) {.reNew .subNavigation--menu { justify-content: center; } .reNew .subNavigation--menu-item { flex: none; }} .reNew .gigya_menu { display: none !important; } </style>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20210211064225cs_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/css/article.main.css?v11.3.8">  <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20210211064225js_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/js/core/libs/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>  <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225js_/https://polyfill.io/v3/polyfill.min.js?features=IntersectionObserver%2CIntersectionObserverEntry%2CPromise%2CCustomEvent%2CArray.prototype.forEach%2CArray.prototype.entries"></script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20210211064225js_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/js/article.main.js?v11.3.8"></script>  <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="9451CA04ABC9D1D5C6419C73B4C4F7B7"/> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true"> <meta name="twitter:dnt" content="on"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content=""> <meta name="environment" content="pwcm6"> <meta name="id" content="6512280"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php"/> <link rel="amphtml" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/amp/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php"/> <meta name="author" content="Jinny Suh"> <meta name="author.name" content="Jinny Suh"/> <meta name="author.title" content=""/> <meta name="description" content="[...] it could only be described as fear-mongering. The ill-informed and disproven..."/> <meta name="date.release" content="2015-09-17 22:45:27"/> <meta name="time.release" content="2015-09-17 22:45:27"/> <meta name="sections" content="Opinion,Outlook"/> <meta name="subject" content="child,public health,primal instinct,health,public health concern,ageappropriate vaccine series,childhood vaccination,immunization,population centers,vaccination policy,childhood immunization,parents,immunization rates,policy drivers,public,healthcare providers,onschedule immunizations,irresponsible rhetoric,science,provaccine parents,disproven theory,family,children,parent and child,preventative medicine,communicable diseases,health organisations"/> <meta name="news_keywords" content="child,public health,primal instinct,health,public health concern,ageappropriate vaccine series,childhood vaccination,immunization,population centers,vaccination policy,childhood immunization,parents,immunization rates,policy drivers,public,healthcare providers,onschedule immunizations,irresponsible rhetoric,science,provaccine parents,disproven theory,family,children,parent and child,preventative medicine,communicable diseases,health organisations"/> <meta name="tmeconcepts" content="child,public health,primal instinct,health,public health concern,ageappropriate vaccine series,childhood vaccination,immunization,population centers,vaccination policy,childhood immunization,parents,immunization rates,policy drivers,public,healthcare providers,onschedule immunizations,irresponsible rhetoric,science,provaccine parents,disproven theory,family"/> <meta name="tmecategories" content="children,parent and child,preventative medicine,family,communicable diseases,health organisations"/>   <meta property="fb:app_id" content="653292111352579"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="105702905593"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="307851324523"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="12852567813"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="480760515417232"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="288240529145"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="316774245761"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="984197758297116"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="7457442370"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="207033189701"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="207346283795"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="222959748728"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="207042068180"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="72983690774"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="339413234035"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="343689323559"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="345828366626"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="234821559861394"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="335699426867"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="10150105039485602"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="338983127562"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="364516539001"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="337922332042"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="115637335153191"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="372011535931"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="333376634908"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="127590790608884"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="141923885872653"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="655037391286291"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="320774811368833"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="1740489152861748"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="469700473093040"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="386754203367"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="556449374478585"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="340999853450"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="350771491032"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="1120648627959218"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="342017778245"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="338463361591"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="138772706196968"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="1641688532739111"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="326312697536"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="353120110016"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="343366744658"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="335009494554"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="347261603104"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="350924013892"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="257724773860"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="361203926417"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="367174215398"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="284154645394"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="334501182354"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="350279743224"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="154340691263654"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="147848678611852"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="361381078011"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="362831597677"/><meta property="fb:pages" content="10150095255780118"/><meta property="article:content_tier" content="metered"/><meta name="og:datePublished" content="2015-09-17 22:20:00"/><meta property="og:locale" content="en_US"/><meta property="og:type" content="article"/><meta property="og:title" content="Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas"/><meta property="og:description" content="[...] it could only be described as fear-mongering. The ill-informed and disproven..."/><meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="Houston Chronicle"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/rawImage.jpg"/><meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-09-17 22:20:00"/><meta property="article:modified_time" content="2015-09-17 22:45:28"/><meta property="article:author" content="Jinny Suh"/><meta property="article:section" content="Outlook"/><meta property="article:tag" content="child"/><meta property="article:tag" content="public health"/><meta property="article:tag" content="primal instinct"/><meta property="article:tag" content="health"/><meta property="article:tag" content="public health concern"/><meta property="article:tag" content="ageappropriate vaccine series"/><meta property="article:tag" content="childhood vaccination"/><meta property="article:tag" content="immunization"/><meta property="article:tag" content="population centers"/><meta property="article:tag" content="vaccination policy"/><meta property="article:tag" content="childhood immunization"/><meta property="article:tag" content="parents"/><meta property="article:tag" content="immunization rates"/><meta property="article:tag" content="policy drivers"/><meta property="article:tag" content="public"/><meta property="article:tag" content="healthcare providers"/><meta property="article:tag" content="onschedule immunizations"/><meta property="article:tag" content="irresponsible rhetoric"/><meta property="article:tag" content="science"/><meta property="article:tag" content="provaccine parents"/><meta property="article:tag" content="disproven theory"/><meta property="article:tag" content="family"/><meta property="article:tag" content="children"/><meta property="article:tag" content="parent and child"/><meta property="article:tag" content="preventative medicine"/><meta property="article:tag" content="communicable diseases"/><meta property="article:tag" content="health organisations"/><meta property="article:content_tier" content="metered"/>   <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/rawImage.jpg"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="[...] it could only be described as fear-mongering. The ill-informed and disproven..."/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas"/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@houstonchron"/>   <script>var omni_channelPath = "Opinion :: Outlook";var omni_title = "Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas";var omni_bizObjectId = "6512280";var omni_className = "article";var omni_publicationDate = "2015-09-17 22:20:00";var omni_sourceSite ="chron";var omni_authorName = "Jinny Suh";var omni_authorTitle = "";var omni_premiumStatus = "isPremium";var omni_premiumEndDate = "2037-01-01 06:00:00";var omni_originalSource = "HC";var omni_pageNumber = "0";var omni_breakingNewsFlag = "";var omni_localNewsFlag = "1";var omni_isListView = "0";var omni_paywallSite = "1";var omni_displayTemplate = "dynamic_two_column";</script>   <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php" }, "headline": "Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/rawImage.jpg" }, "datePublished": "2015-09-17 22:20:00", "dateModified": "2015-09-17 22:45:28", "author": [ {"@type": "Person", "name": "Jinny Suh", "jobTitle": "" } ], "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Houston Chronicle", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/img/ldjson_logo.png", "width": 600, "height": 60 } }, "description": "[...] it could only be described as fear-mongering. The ill-informed and disproven..." , "isAccessibleForFree": "False", "hasPart": { "@type": "WebPageElement", "isAccessibleForFree": "False", "cssSelector": ".article" } } </script>   <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houstonchronicle.com", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/search/?action=search&sitelinks=1&searchindex=solr&query={search_term_string}", "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } </script>    <script type="text/javascript" id="adPositionManagerScriptTag" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225js_/https://aps.hearstnp.com/Scripts/loadAds.js"></script>     <script type="text/javascript"> (function(e) { var t = '//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://nexus.ensighten.com/hearst/news/Bootstrap.js'; if (e.cookie.indexOf("nsghtn") > -1) { if(e.cookie.indexOf("nsghtn=test-dev") > -1) { console.log("Ensighten :: Test-Dev"); t = "//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://nexus-test.ensighten.com/hearst/news-dev/Bootstrap.js"; } else if(e.cookie.indexOf("nsghtn=test") > -1) { console.log("Ensighten :: Test"); t = "//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://nexus-test.ensighten.com/hearst/news/Bootstrap.js"; } else if(e.cookie.indexOf("nsghtn=dev") > -1) { console.log("Ensighten :: Dev"); t = "//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://nexus.ensighten.com/hearst/news-dev/Bootstrap.js"; } } e.write("<scr"+"ipt src='"+e.location.protocol+t+"'></"+"scr"+"ipt>"); })(document); </script>   <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225js_/https://cdn.blueconic.net/hearst.js"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> (function () { window._taboolaNetworkMode = false; window._taboola = window._taboola || []; window._taboolaHDNPageLabel = window._taboolaHDNPageLabel || 'article'; var tobj = {}; tobj[window._taboolaHDNPageLabel] = 'auto'; window._taboola.push(tobj); !function (e, f, u, i) { if (!document.getElementById(i)){ e.async = 1; e.src = u; e.id = i; f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); } }(document.createElement('script'), document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0], '//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/hearstlocalnews-houstonchronicle/loader.js', 'tb_loader_script'); if(window.performance && typeof window.performance.mark == 'function') { window.performance.mark('tbl_ic'); } })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function () { window._newsroom = window._newsroom || []; !function(e,f,u){ e.async = 1; e.src = u; f.parentNode.insertBefore(e,f); }(document.createElement('script'),document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0],'//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://c2.taboola.com/nr/hearstlocalnews-houstonchronicle/newsroom.js'); })(); </script>  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/favicon.ico"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="60x60" href="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="128x128" href="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/apple-touch-icon-128x128.png">     <style> .thumbnailListAuthor.one .thumbnailListAuthor--wrapper { margin: 0; } @media (min-width: 768px) { .thumbnailListAuthor.two .thumbnailListAuthor--wrapper { margin: 0; } } @media (min-width: 928px) { .thumbnailListAuthor.two .thumbnailListAuthor--items { justify-content: space-between; margin: 0; } } @media (min-width: 928px) { .thumbnailListAuthor.two .thumbnailListAuthor--item { flex: 0 0 48%; margin: 0; } } @media (min-width: 928px) { .thumbnailListAuthor.two .thumbnailListAuthor--spacer { display: none; } } @media (min-width: 928px) { .thumbnailListAuthor.three .thumbnailListAuthor--wrapper { margin: 0; } } </style>  <style> .alert{background-color:#000;bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;color:#fff;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;left:50%;line-height:1.25;overflow:hidden;padding:10px;position:fixed;transform:translateX(-50%);width:100vw;z-index:5000000}.alert .close{border-radius:8px;color:#fff;display:block;position:absolute;right:10px;height:16px;overflow:hidden;top:10px;width:16px}.alert .close::after{background-color:#fff;content:'';display:block;height:2px;left:-6px;position:relative;top:4px;transform:rotate(-45deg);width:30px}.alert .close::before{background-color:#fff;content:'';display:block;height:2px;left:-5px;position:relative;top:9px;transform:rotate(45deg);width:30px}.alert>div{box-sizing:border-box;max-width:1200px;margin:0 auto;position:relative;padding-right:34px} </style> <script> document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { if (/MSIE \d|Trident.*rv:/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {var site=HDN.domain,name=site.charAt(0).toUpperCase()+site.slice(1),section=document.createElement("section"),close=document.createElement("a");close.className="close",close.href="#",close.addEventListener("click",function(e){e.stopPropagation(),e.preventDefault(),e.target.parentElement.style.display="none"});var HTML="<div>Thank you for visiting "+name+". You are using an older browser that may impact your reading experience. For the best experience, we recommend you use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.</div>";section.className="alert",section.id="warning",section.innerHTML=HTML,section.appendChild(close),document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0].appendChild(section);} }, false); </script>   <style> .hide-sign-in { display: none !important; } .hide-right-border:after { display: none; } </style> <script> document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { var hostname = window.location.hostname; if(hostname.indexOf("darientimes") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("fairfieldcitizenonline") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("middletownpress") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("milfordmirror") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("ncadvertiser") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("newmilfordspectrum") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("registercitizen") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("sheltonherald") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("theridgefieldpress") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("trumbulltimes") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("wiltonbulletin") > 0 || hostname.indexOf("westport-news") > 0) { if(document.getElementById("subscription")) { document.getElementById("subscription").classList.add('hide-right-border'); } document.getElementsByClassName("gigya_menu")[0].classList.add('hide-sign-in'); } }); </script>  <style> /* ENG-6411 */ .fourPack--item { overflow: hidden; } /* ENG-6094 */ .articleHeader--byline-credit + span { background-position: 0% 0% !important; background-repeat: no-repeat !important; background-size: contain !important; } /* ENG-6708 */ .factBox button { border: 1px solid #000; color: #000; } .factBox button:hover { border: 1px solid transparent; color: #fff; } .factBox button .more::after { background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 9 6"%3E%3Cg stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"%3E%3Cg transform="translate(-1740.000000, -3192.000000)" fill="%23111" fill-rule="nonzero"%3E%3Cpath d="M1744.5,3195.43934 L1741.28033,3192.21967 C1740.98744,3191.92678 1740.51256,3191.92678 1740.21967,3192.21967 C1739.92678,3192.51256 1739.92678,3192.98744 1740.21967,3193.28033 L1743.96967,3197.03033 C1744.26256,3197.32322 1744.73744,3197.32322 1745.03033,3197.03033 L1748.78033,3193.28033 C1749.07322,3192.98744 1749.07322,3192.51256 1748.78033,3192.21967 C1748.48744,3191.92678 1748.01256,3191.92678 1747.71967,3192.21967 L1744.5,3195.43934 Z"%3E%3C/path%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E'); } .factBox button:hover .more::after { background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 9 6"%3E%3Cg stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"%3E%3Cg transform="translate(-1740.000000, -3192.000000)" fill="%23fff" fill-rule="nonzero"%3E%3Cpath d="M1744.5,3195.43934 L1741.28033,3192.21967 C1740.98744,3191.92678 1740.51256,3191.92678 1740.21967,3192.21967 C1739.92678,3192.51256 1739.92678,3192.98744 1740.21967,3193.28033 L1743.96967,3197.03033 C1744.26256,3197.32322 1744.73744,3197.32322 1745.03033,3197.03033 L1748.78033,3193.28033 C1749.07322,3192.98744 1749.07322,3192.51256 1748.78033,3192.21967 C1748.48744,3191.92678 1748.01256,3191.92678 1747.71967,3192.21967 L1744.5,3195.43934 Z"%3E%3C/path%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E'); } .factBox button .less::after { background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 9 6"%3E%3Cg stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"%3E%3Cg transform="translate(-1727.000000, -3193.000000)" fill="%23111" fill-rule="nonzero"%3E%3Cpath d="M1731.5,3196.43934 L1728.28033,3193.21967 C1727.98744,3192.92678 1727.51256,3192.92678 1727.21967,3193.21967 C1726.92678,3193.51256 1726.92678,3193.98744 1727.21967,3194.28033 L1730.96967,3198.03033 C1731.26256,3198.32322 1731.73744,3198.32322 1732.03033,3198.03033 L1735.78033,3194.28033 C1736.07322,3193.98744 1736.07322,3193.51256 1735.78033,3193.21967 C1735.48744,3192.92678 1735.01256,3192.92678 1734.71967,3193.21967 L1731.5,3196.43934 Z" transform="translate(1731.500000, 3195.625000) rotate(-180.000000) translate(-1731.500000, -3195.625000)"%3E%3C/path%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E'); } .factBox button:hover .less::after { background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 9 6"%3E%3Cg stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"%3E%3Cg transform="translate(-1727.000000, -3193.000000)" fill="%23fff" fill-rule="nonzero"%3E%3Cpath d="M1731.5,3196.43934 L1728.28033,3193.21967 C1727.98744,3192.92678 1727.51256,3192.92678 1727.21967,3193.21967 C1726.92678,3193.51256 1726.92678,3193.98744 1727.21967,3194.28033 L1730.96967,3198.03033 C1731.26256,3198.32322 1731.73744,3198.32322 1732.03033,3198.03033 L1735.78033,3194.28033 C1736.07322,3193.98744 1736.07322,3193.51256 1735.78033,3193.21967 C1735.48744,3192.92678 1735.01256,3192.92678 1734.71967,3193.21967 L1731.5,3196.43934 Z" transform="translate(1731.500000, 3195.625000) rotate(-180.000000) translate(-1731.500000, -3195.625000)"%3E%3C/path%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E'); } </style>     <style> @media (max-width: 767px) { .adModule-outer.full .adModule-inner { width: auto; margin: auto; } } </style>   <style> .factBox button { background-color: #fff; } .factBox button:hover { background-color: #ff7500; } </style> </head>  <body data-location="opinion opinion-outlook">    <header class="pageHeader standard" data-stage="0"> <div class="pageHeader--progress"><div class="pageHeader--progress-bar" id="progress"></div></div> <div class="pageHeader--skipLink-wrapper"> <a href="#content" class="pageHeader--skipLink">Skip to main content</a> </div> <div class="pageHeader--wrapper lock"> <div id="navToggle" class="pageHeader--menuButton navToggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="navigation" tabindex="0"></div> <a id="mastheadLogo" href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/" class="pageHeader--logo mastheadLogo fade show hdn-analytics" role="img" aria-label="Homepage - Site Logo" data-hdn-analytics="visit|masthead|navigation|0"></a> <div id="titleBar" class="pageHeader--titleBar titleBar fade show hidden"> <div class="pageHeader--titleBar-subsection">Currently Reading</div> <div class="pageHeader--titleBar-title">Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas</div> </div> <div id="nextStory" class="pageHeader--nextStory nextStory fade show hidden"></div> <ul class="pageHeader--links fade show"> <li id="subscription" class="pageHeader--links-nonsub subscribeButton fade show hidden"> <a class="visible-xs-f subscribe" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://subscription.houstonchronicle.com/checkout/354/771/?origin=button&ipid=wcm">Subscribe</a> <button class="hidden-xs" data-link="https://subscription.houstonchronicle.com/checkout/354/771/?origin=button&ipid=wcm">Subscribe</button> </li> <li id="eEdition" class="pageHeader--links-sub eEdition fade show hidden"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/e-edition">e-edition</a></li>  <li class="treg-is-gigya gigya_menu "> <div class="gya-title expandable treg-conditional treg-not-logged-in"> <a class="signIn" tabindex="0">Sign In</a> </div> <div class="gya-title expandable treg-conditional treg-logged-in"><span></span></div> <div class="gya-content expandable"> <div class="treg-gya-login-widget"></div> </div> </li>  <li class="pageHeader--searchButton searchToggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="searchField-aria" tabindex="0"></li> </ul> <div class="pageHeader--search searchField" id="searchField-aria"> <form class="pageHeader--search-form" action="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/search/" method="get"> <input type="hidden" name="action" value="search"/> <input type="hidden" name="firstRequest" value="1"/> <input type="hidden" name="searchindex" value="solr"/> <div class="fieldset"> <input class="pageHeader--search-input" id="search" name="query" type="text" value="" placeholder="Search"/> <button class="searchButton btn" value="" name="search" type="submit"></button> </div> </form> </div> </div>    <nav id="navigation" class="navigation"><div class="navigation--wrapper lock"><div class="navigation--menu"><ul class="hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg hidden-xl"><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="1"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://subscription.houstonchronicle.com/checkout/354/771/?origin=hamburger" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5514" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Subscribe|navigation-ard|2">Subscribe</a></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="7" data-index="2"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1223" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News|navigation-ard|3">Local News</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 132px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1224" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News-Houston|navigation-ard|1">Houston</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3366" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News-Suburbs|navigation-ard|2">Suburbs</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1232" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News-Education|navigation-ard|3">Education</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/texas/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3364" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News-Texas|navigation-ard|4">Texas</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/environment/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5688" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News-Environment|navigation-ard|5">Environment</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5689" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Local News-Health & Medicine|navigation-ard|6">Health & Medicine</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="3"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/coronavirus/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5479" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Coronavirus|navigation-ard|4">Coronavirus</a></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="4" data-index="4"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3625" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Politics|navigation-ard|5">Politics</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 88px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1230" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Politics-Houston|navigation-ard|1">Houston</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3626" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Politics-Texas|navigation-ard|2">Texas</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/us-world/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3627" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Politics-U.S. & World|navigation-ard|3">U.S. & World</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="7" data-index="5"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1269" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business|navigation-ard|6">Business</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 132px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/fuelfix/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5196" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business-Fuel Fix|navigation-ard|1">Fuel Fix</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/texas-inc/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5592" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business-Texas Inc.|navigation-ard|2">Texas Inc.</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1275" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business-Real Estate|navigation-ard|3">Real Estate</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/topworkplaces/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1317" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business-Top Workplaces|navigation-ard|4">Top Workplaces</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="2642" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business-Retail|navigation-ard|5">Retail</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/techburger/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="4426" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Business-TechBurger|navigation-ard|6">TechBurger</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="7" data-index="6"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="4540" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation|navigation-ard|7">Texas Sports Nation</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 132px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1261" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation-Texans|navigation-ard|1">Texans</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1262" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation-Astros|navigation-ard|2">Astros</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1263" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation-Rockets|navigation-ard|3">Rockets</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/dynamo/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1264" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation-Dynamo & Dash|navigation-ard|4">Dynamo & Dash</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1266" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation-College|navigation-ard|5">College</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/hs-sports/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1265" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Texas Sports Nation-High School|navigation-ard|6">High School</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="5" data-index="7"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3350" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Food|navigation-ard|8">Food</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 88px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1222" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Food-Restaurants & Bars|navigation-ard|1">Restaurants & Bars</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/reviews/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5223" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Food-Restaurant Reviews|navigation-ard|2">Restaurant Reviews</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/barbecue/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3147" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Food-Barbecue|navigation-ard|3">Barbecue</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/food-recipes/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1616" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Food-Recipes|navigation-ard|4">Recipes</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="6" data-index="8"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1245" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Lifestyle|navigation-ard|9">Lifestyle</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 132px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life-and-arts/religion-and-life-passages/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3357" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Lifestyle-Religion|navigation-ard|1">Religion</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life-and-arts/home-and-garden/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3353" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Lifestyle-Home & Garden|navigation-ard|2">Home & Garden</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/home-design/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5447" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Lifestyle-Home Design|navigation-ard|3">Home Design</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/society/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1250" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Lifestyle-Society|navigation-ard|4">Society</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/travel-explore/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5580" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Lifestyle-Travel/Explore|navigation-ard|5">Travel/Explore</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="5" data-index="9"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5201" data-hdn-analytics="visit|ReNew Houston|navigation-ard|10">ReNew Houston</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 88px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/wellness/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5436" data-hdn-analytics="visit|ReNew Houston-Wellness|navigation-ard|1">Wellness</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/nutrition/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5437" data-hdn-analytics="visit|ReNew Houston-Nutrition|navigation-ard|2">Nutrition</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/fitness/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5438" data-hdn-analytics="visit|ReNew Houston-Fitness|navigation-ard|3">Fitness</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/health/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5439" data-hdn-analytics="visit|ReNew Houston-Health|navigation-ard|4">Health</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="7" data-index="10"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1221" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview|navigation-ard|11">Preview</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 132px"><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/category/movies-tv" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1226" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview-Movies & TV|navigation-ard|1">Movies & TV</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/category/music" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1239" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview-Music|navigation-ard|2">Music</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/category/art-exhibits" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5449" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview-Arts & Exhibits|navigation-ard|3">Arts & Exhibits</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/category/classical" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5450" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview-Classical|navigation-ard|4">Classical</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/category/dance" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5451" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview-Dance|navigation-ard|5">Dance</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/category/theater" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5453" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Preview-Theater|navigation-ard|6">Theater</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="11"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1784" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Investigations|navigation-ard|12">Investigations</a></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="4" data-index="12"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5685" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Interactives|navigation-ard|13">Interactives</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 88px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/trackers/houston-flood-map/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5611" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Interactives-Texas Flood Map|navigation-ard|1">Texas Flood Map</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/guides/houston-recipe-cook-book/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5690" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Interactives-Bayou City Cookbook|navigation-ard|2">Bayou City Cookbook</a></li><li class="child"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/coronavirus/article/covid-interactive-map-houston-texas-us-case-virus-15142609.php" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5691" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Interactives-Tracking COVID-19|navigation-ard|3">Tracking COVID-19</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="5" data-index="13"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1257" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Opinion|navigation-ard|14">Opinion</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 88px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1311" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Opinion-Editorials|navigation-ard|1">Editorials</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/letters/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1258" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Opinion-Letters to the Editor|navigation-ard|2">Letters to the Editor</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1259" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Opinion-Columnists|navigation-ard|3">Columnists</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1312" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Opinion-Essays|navigation-ard|4">Essays</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="14"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/podcasts-video/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5686" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Podcasts & Video|navigation-ard|15">Podcasts & Video</a></li><li class="parent topLevel" data-length="4" data-index="15"><span role="heading" aria-level="2"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3386" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Newsletters|navigation-ard|16">Newsletters</a><span class="toggle navigation--item-glyph"></span></a><ul class="navigation--subMenu" data-collapsed="true" style="--n: 88px"><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/houston-morning-report/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5434" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Newsletters-Morning Report|navigation-ard|1">Morning Report</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/afternoon-report/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5687" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Newsletters-Afternoon Report|navigation-ard|2">Afternoon Report</a></li><li class="child"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/newsletters/breaking-news/" class="navigation--item navigation--subMenu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5577" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Newsletters-Breaking News|navigation-ard|3">Breaking News</a></li></ul></span></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="16"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://myaccount.houstonchronicle.com/Access.aspx?product=NewEdition" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="4231" data-hdn-analytics="visit|e-Edition|navigation-ard|17">e-Edition</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="17"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="1220" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Obituaries|navigation-ard|18">Obituaries</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="18"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houstonchronicle.com/puzzles/article/Complete-today-s-crossword-puzzle-from-the-15324103.php" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5581" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Crosswords|navigation-ard|1">Crosswords</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="19"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houston-chronicle.myshopify.com/collections/astros" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5371" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Shop the Chronicle|navigation-ard|2">Shop the Chronicle</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="20"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv-listings/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="5600" data-hdn-analytics="visit|TV Listings|navigation-ard|3">TV Listings</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="21"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/archive/search/subscriber/" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="3387" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Archive|navigation-ard|4">Archive</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="22"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/terms_of_use" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="4556" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Terms of Use|navigation-ard|5">Terms of Use</a></li><li class="single" data-length="1" data-index="23"><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/privacy_policy" class="navigation--item navigation--menu-item hdn-analytics" data-naveid="4555" data-hdn-analytics="visit|Privacy Notice|navigation-ard|6">Privacy Notice</a></li></ul></div></div><span class="rule"></span><div id="navToggle__page" class="navTogglePage"></div></nav>    </header> <section id="topZone" class="zone topZone"> <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-113308-dynamic_ribbon_articles">   <div class="articleRibbon" data-component="collection" data-collection-type="ribbon" data-collection-id="113308" data-collection-title="HC Article Ribbon - Most Popular" data-type="list"> <button class="articleRibbon--nav-btn articleRibbon--nav-prev fade" data-delta="-1"></button> <div class="articleRibbon--wrapper"> <ul class="articleRibbon--list"> <div class="scrollSpacer"></div> <div class="articleRibbon--list-wrapper" style="flex: 1 0 2200px;"> <span class="articleRibbon--list-title"><span class="articleRibbon--list-label"> Most Popular </span></span>  <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/texas-lawyer-zoom-not-a-cat-filter-mishap-court-15937082.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15937082|-113308|1"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/10/20591150/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/10/20591150/3/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/10/20591150/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Texas lawyer Rod Ponton appeared during a Zoom hearing with District Judge Roy Ferguson as a cat with a filter superimposed on his face."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/texas-lawyer-zoom-not-a-cat-filter-mishap-court-15937082.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937082|-113308|1">'I'm not a cat': Texas lawyer caught in Zoom filter mishap</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/john-mcclain/article/Texans-president-Jamey-Rootes-resigns-15939250.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15939250|-113308|2"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/07/61/31/18814545/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/07/61/31/18814545/3/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/07/61/31/18814545/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Houston."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/john-mcclain/article/Texans-president-Jamey-Rootes-resigns-15939250.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15939250|-113308|2">Longtime Texans president Jamey Rootes resigns</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/brian-t-smith/article/Smith-Jack-Easterby-strikes-another-blow-Texans-15939778.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15939778|-113308|3"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/14/45/03/20074713/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/14/45/03/20074713/3/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/14/45/03/20074713/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Jack Easterby, executive vice president of football operations, walks across the field as Houston Texans players warm up Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at The Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/brian-t-smith/article/Smith-Jack-Easterby-strikes-another-blow-Texans-15939778.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15939778|-113308|3">Smith: Jack Easterby strikes another blow to the Texans</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Historic-home-in-shadow-of-Minute-Maid-Park-on-15937594.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15937594|-113308|4"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/16/20591494/7/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/16/20591494/7/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/16/20591494/7/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="The Arthur Cohn house, a remnant of downtown's once stylish residential community, was moved once to make way for street expansion near the convention center and will be moved again to make way for a parking lot near Minute Maid. Photographed here in 2003."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Historic-home-in-shadow-of-Minute-Maid-Park-on-15937594.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937594|-113308|4">Historic home in Minute Maid Park's shadow on the move — again</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/UTMB-study-Pfizer-vaccine-effective-against-UK-15936945.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15936945|-113308|5"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/72/06/20423098/8/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/72/06/20423098/8/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/72/06/20423098/8/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center registered nurse Linda Fletcher holds Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines on the first day Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center start immunizing their staff, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Houston."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/UTMB-study-Pfizer-vaccine-effective-against-UK-15936945.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15936945|-113308|5">Pfizer vaccine effective on UK, South Africa COVID variants</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/Uptick-in-COVID-19-cases-on-Bolivar-Peninsula-15940400.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15940400|-113308|6"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/44/04/20594951/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/44/04/20594951/3/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/44/04/20594951/3/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="The Bolivar Lighthouse as seen from the air on Tuesday. Photo taken on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. Ryan Welch/The Enterprise"> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/Uptick-in-COVID-19-cases-on-Bolivar-Peninsula-15940400.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15940400|-113308|6">No one knows why COVID is spiking in one part of Galveston County</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Mob-mentality-Some-Texans-arrested-in-15937893.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15937893|-113308|7"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/25/20591940/4/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/25/20591940/4/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/25/20591940/4/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Jenny Cudd, front, a flower shop owner and former Midland mayoral candidate, and Eliel Rosa leave the federal courthouse in Midland, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The FBI arrested Cudd and Rosa on Wednesday in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S Capitol. (Jacob Ford/Odessa American via AP)"> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Mob-mentality-Some-Texans-arrested-in-15937893.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937893|-113308|7">Some Texans arrested in Capitol riot cast blame on Trump</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/houston/article/Harris-County-will-give-teachers-priority-for-15940612.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15940612|-113308|8"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/77/45/20445523/25/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/77/45/20445523/25/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/77/45/20445523/25/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Syringes are lined up to deliver the Pfizer-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/houston/article/Harris-County-will-give-teachers-priority-for-15940612.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15940612|-113308|8">Harris County will give teachers priority for 'leftover' COVID-19 vaccines</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <div class="articleRibbon--item-img"> <a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Texas-A-amp-M-has-plenty-of-options-to-rebuild-15937961.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-from-img|article-15937961|-113308|9"> <picture> <source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/11/66/40/19359794/17/ratio1x1_100.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/11/66/40/19359794/17/ratio1x1_200.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 48rem)"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/11/66/40/19359794/17/ratio1x1_100.jpg" alt="Kenyon Green, working out before last season, is the lone returning starter for Texas A&M's offensive line."> </picture> </a> </div> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Texas-A-amp-M-has-plenty-of-options-to-rebuild-15937961.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937961|-113308|9">Texas A&M has plenty of options to rebuild offensive line</a> </li>   <li class="articleRibbon--list-item articleRibbon--mostPopular" data-progressive="true" data-component="photo"> <a class="articleRibbon--item-headline hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Don-t-blame-Fox-News-for-the-attack-on-the-Capitol-15907940.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15907940|-113308|10">Don't blame Fox News for the attack on the Capitol</a> </li>  </div> <div class="scrollSpacer"></div> </ul> </div> <button class="articleRibbon--nav-btn articleRibbon--nav-next fade show " data-delta="1"></button> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var nextStory = [ { "id": 15937082, "headline": "'I'm not a cat': Texas lawyer caught in Zoom filter...", "url": "/life/article/texas-lawyer-zoom-not-a-cat-filter-mishap-court-15937082.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/10/20591150/3/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15939250, "headline": "Longtime Texans president Jamey Rootes resigns", "url": "/texas-sports-nation/john-mcclain/article/Texans-president-Jamey-Rootes-resigns-15939250.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/07/61/31/18814545/3/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15939778, "headline": "Smith: Jack Easterby strikes another blow to the Texans", "url": "/texas-sports-nation/brian-t-smith/article/Smith-Jack-Easterby-strikes-another-blow-Texans-15939778.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/14/45/03/20074713/3/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15937594, "headline": "Historic home in Minute Maid Park's shadow on the...", "url": "/business/article/Historic-home-in-shadow-of-Minute-Maid-Park-on-15937594.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/16/20591494/7/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15936945, "headline": "Pfizer vaccine effective on UK, South Africa COVID...", "url": "/news/houston-texas/health/article/UTMB-study-Pfizer-vaccine-effective-against-UK-15936945.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/72/06/20423098/8/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15940400, "headline": "No one knows why COVID is spiking in one part of...", "url": "/news/houston-texas/health/article/Uptick-in-COVID-19-cases-on-Bolivar-Peninsula-15940400.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/44/04/20594951/3/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15937893, "headline": "Some Texans arrested in Capitol riot cast blame on...", "url": "/politics/texas/article/Mob-mentality-Some-Texans-arrested-in-15937893.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/25/20591940/4/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15940612, "headline": "Harris County will give teachers priority for...", "url": "/houston/article/Harris-County-will-give-teachers-priority-for-15940612.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/15/77/45/20445523/25/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15937961, "headline": "Texas A&M has plenty of options to rebuild...", "url": "/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Texas-A-amp-M-has-plenty-of-options-to-rebuild-15937961.php", "image": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/11/66/40/19359794/17/ratio3x2_100.jpg" }, { "id": 15907940, "headline": "Don't blame Fox News for the attack on the Capitol", "url": "/news/article/Don-t-blame-Fox-News-for-the-attack-on-the-Capitol-15907940.php", "image": "" } ]; </script>  </div></section><main id="content" class="article" data-type="dtc"> <header class="article--header articleHeader"><div class="articleHeader--breadcrumbs"><a class="articleHeader--breadcrumbs-item" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/">Opinion</a><span> // </span><a class="articleHeader--breadcrumbs-item" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/">Outlook</a></div><h1 class="articleHeader--headline">Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas</h1><h3 class="articleHeader--deck"></h3><div class="articleHeader--subHead "><div class="articleHeader--byline"><span class="articleHeader--byline-name">Jinny Suh</span></div><div class="articleHeader--timestamp"><time class="articleHeader--timestamp-pubdate hasUpdate hidden-xs" datetime="2015-09-17 22:20:00">Sep. 17, 2015</time><time class="articleHeader--timestamp-update" datetime="2015-09-17 22:45:28">Updated: Sep. 17, 2015 5:45 p.m.</time></div><div class="articleHeader--shareTools"> <div class="share-list comments"> <a class="share-facebook" data-sharenetwork="facebook">Facebook</a> <a class="share-twitter" data-sharenetwork="twitter">Twitter</a> <a class="share-email" data-sharenetwork="email">Email</a> <div class="pipe"></div> <a class="share-comments" data-sharenetwork="comments" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/articleComments/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php" onclick="document.location.href = document.location.href.replace('/article/','/articleComments/').replace('/slideshow/','/slideshowComments/'); return false;">Comments</a> <span class="share-count"></span> </div> </div></div></header> <article class="article--content"><section id="articleTop" class="article--content-zone top"></section>  <figure class=" extendFromGrid fXS fSM fMD fLG fXL"> <picture class="image" data-width="2000" data-height="1312"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1200x0.jpg" media="(min-width: 1292px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1150x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/2300x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 1230px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1100x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/2200x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 1168px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1050x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/2100x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 1106px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1000x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/2000x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 1044px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/950x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1900x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 982px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/900x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1800x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 920px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/850x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1700x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 858px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/800x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1600x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 796px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/750x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1500x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 734px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/700x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1400x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 672px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/650x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1300x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 610px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/600x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1200x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 548px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/550x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1100x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 486px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/500x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1000x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 424px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/450x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/900x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 362px)"><source srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/400x0.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/800x0.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 300px)"><img class="landscape" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/40/77/55/8649592/3/1200x0.jpg" alt="According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, immunization rates among the youngest and most vulnerable children in Texas in 2014 was 64 percent, significantly below the national average of 72 percent, an admittedly scary number considering the density of our population centers."></picture><figcaption><span class="caption">According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, immunization rates among the youngest and most vulnerable children in Texas in 2014 was 64 percent, significantly below the national average of 72 percent, an admittedly scary number considering the density of our population centers.</span><span class="credits">Kim Christensen/Freelance</span></figcaption></figure>  <p>Last night's GOP debate presented dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric about vaccines. In fact, it could only be described as fear-mongering. The ill-informed and disproven theory presented on the public stage is what makes the debate over public health so difficult.</p>  <p>As a mother, I know it is an emotionally charged issue. But what most parents and I really want is a conversation based on scientific evidence, not policy drivers or assumptions.</p> <div id="paywall" class="content-wrapper"> <p>When your healthy child falls sick, as mine did, most parents have the same thought process: "Maybe it's a cold. I hope it's not the flu or worse."</p> <p>The next thoughts are what separate us.</p> <p>The parents who vaccinate are reassured by their choice in evidence-based science and less likely to overreact, avoiding costly medical intervention for what is likely a common and survivable ailment. Those who don't vaccinate might face a more sinister outcome and the grim reality that an illness could have been avoided.</p> <p>My son's illness was a pivotal moment for me. It inspired this primal instinct to protect my child at all costs. But that primal instinct does not stop with him. It extends to all children. When I chose to vaccinate my child, it was not only for him, but it was a tacit acknowledgement of responsibility to other mothers' children and to the bigger picture.</p>  <section class="relatedStories" data-progressive="true" data-component="carousel"><div class="relatedStories--title articleModule"><div class="articleModule--title h4">From the Editorial Board</div><div class="relatedStories--nav"><button class="relatedStories--nav-btn relatedStories--nav-prev btn" disabled data-delta="-1"></button><button class="relatedStories--nav-btn relatedStories--nav-next btn" data-delta="1"></button></div></div><ul class="relatedStories--list" data-total="10"><div class="scrollSpacer"></div><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="1"><div class="slide" data-number="1"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/black-history-month-george-floyd-2020-pain-year-15929325.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15929325|article-6512280|1"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/41/24/20583721/5/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/41/24/20583721/5/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/41/24/20583721/5/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: After a year of pain, we must see the past in...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li id="NTVRELATED" class="relatedStories--item" data-number="2"><div class="slide" data-number="2"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Build-on-Houston-s-affordable-15930276.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15930276|article-6512280|2"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/40/52/20580996/3/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/40/52/20580996/3/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/40/52/20580996/3/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: Build on Houston's affordable housing...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="3"><div class="slide" data-number="3"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Thumbs-Houston-strip-club-Ted-Cruz-and-naked-15928695.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15928695|article-6512280|3"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/34/23/20563143/8/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/34/23/20563143/8/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/34/23/20563143/8/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Thumbs: Houston strip club, Ted Cruz and naked deception</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="4"><div class="slide" data-number="4"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Cancel-the-in-person-STAAR-Schools-15925879.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15925879|article-6512280|4"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/13/23/67/19742166/11/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/13/23/67/19742166/11/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/13/23/67/19742166/11/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: Cancel the in-person STAAR test. Schools get a...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="5"><div class="slide" data-number="5"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-In-fight-over-prior-authorization-from-15922800.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15922800|article-6512280|5"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/35/73/20569846/4/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/35/73/20569846/4/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/35/73/20569846/4/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: In fight over prior authorization from...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="6"><div class="slide" data-number="6"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Abbott-s-State-of-the-State-little-15919155.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15919155|article-6512280|6"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/34/36/20563859/3/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/34/36/20563859/3/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/34/36/20563859/3/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: Abbott's State of the State little but red...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="7"><div class="slide" data-number="7"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Gerrymandering-alert-Hey-Austin-why-15916051.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15916051|article-6512280|7"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/35/01/18993217/5/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/35/01/18993217/5/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/35/01/18993217/5/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: Gerrymandering alert! Austin should let voters...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="8"><div class="slide" data-number="8"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Thumbs-Cruz-is-right-it-s-OK-to-call-him-a-15909756.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15909756|article-6512280|8"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/77/27/15/16610129/11/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/77/27/15/16610129/11/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/77/27/15/16610129/11/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Thumbs: Cruz is right, it's OK to call him a weasel and...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="9"><div class="slide" data-number="9"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Biden-sends-the-right-message-on-15910036.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15910036|article-6512280|9"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/31/72/20553369/11/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/31/72/20553369/11/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/31/72/20553369/11/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: Biden sends the right message on energy - even...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li><li class="relatedStories--item" data-number="10"><div class="slide" data-number="10"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Murder-organized-crime-indictments-at-15903779.php" class="hdn-analytics" data-hdn-analytics="related_stories|article-15903779|article-6512280|10"><div class="slide--image fullBleed"><picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"><source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/27/43/20543697/3/ratio3x2_350.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/27/43/20543697/3/ratio3x2_700.jpg 2x"><img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/27/43/20543697/3/ratio3x2_700.jpg"></picture></div><div class="slide--headline"><div class="slide--headline-section">Opinion</div><div class="slide--headline-title">Editorial: Murder, organized crime indictments at HPD...</div><div class="slide--byline">By The Editorial Board</div></div></a></div></li></ul></section>  <p>This is why I stand in support of childhood vaccination and local medical providers who changed their vaccination policy to treat only families and children who can prove on-schedule immunizations. The purpose is not to be elitist or exclusive, in fact it's rooted in a deep respect for the power of proven science to protect personal health and that of the public's.</p> <p>During our most medically advanced era, one of the more important and world-changing developments in the last 200 years is declining.</p>  <p>According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, immunization rates among the youngest and most vulnerable children in Texas in 2014 was 64 percent, significantly below the national average of 72 percent, an admittedly scary number considering the density of our population centers.</p> <p>While those 64 percent are fully immunized for the age-appropriate vaccine series, that leaves one third of Texas children 19-35 months not fully up to date or incomplete with their vaccines.</p> <p>This troubling drop is not a coincidence, but the result of a growing hesitancy among parents to vaccinate based on bad, discredited science and the failure of elected officials to defend public health.</p> <p>Immunizations are not a luxury. They are a basic cornerstone of public health. If families cannot or do not vaccinate their children, the health of all Texans - especially those who cannot receive immunizations for medical reasons - is neglected.</p> <p>While science is protecting my family, a solution under the guise of anti-big government is compromising my child's health. During this year's legislative session, our Legislature failed to pass legislation allowing parents to know how many children had exemptions in their public schools.</p> <aside class="article--content-inline"><aside class="zone">  <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-105830-dynamic_featured_story">    <div class="featuredStory inDepth">  <div class="featuredStory--header inDepth--header collectionHeader">  <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/submit/">SHARE YOUR OPINION</a>  </div> <div class="slide inDepth--wrapper"> <a class="hdn-analytics hdnce-e hdnce-link-92831" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/article/How-to-submit-letters-op-ed-to-Houston-Chronicle-15794874.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-image|link-92831|premium_article_featured_articles-105830|1"> <div class="slide--img"> <picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"> <source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/76/76/19132322/5/ratio3x2_425.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/76/76/19132322/5/ratio3x2_850.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 20rem)"> <img data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/76/76/19132322/5/ratio3x2_425.jpg" alt=""> </picture> </div> </a> <a class="hdn-analytics hdnce-e hdnce-link-92831" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/article/How-to-submit-letters-op-ed-to-Houston-Chronicle-15794874.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|link-92831|premium_article_featured_articles-105830|1"> <div class="slide--headline">Here's how to submit letters and op-eds to the Chronicle</div> </a> <div class="slide--abstract abstract"></div> </div>  </div>  </div></aside></aside> <p>As a vocal advocate for childhood immunization, I encourage our lawmakers to not shy away from heated debate or back down in the face of the raging few who choose to accept bad and disproven science.</p> <p>The 85th Legislature begins in January 2017, guided by our representatives who are currently deciding their agendas. While I realize this public health concern - the imminent threat of communicable disease based on waning immunization in Texas - is a no-brainer, I also know it is very complicated. We owe it to ourselves to spend the next 16 months supporting parents and health-care providers all over the state who understand our primal instinct to protect the children.</p>  <p>I support The Immunization Partnership in its attempt to educate elected officials who put perceived short-term political interest ahead of public health. Legislators regularly hear from extremists opposing immunizations and are unlikely to be contacted by pro-vaccine parents. If you are pro-vaccine, we implore you to be involved in the conversation.</p> <p>The bottom line is if you choose not to vaccinate your children, that's your issue. But by shunning your responsibility to children everywhere, you have now put mine at risk and I have a right to know the likelihood based on data that should be readily available.</p> <p> </p> <p>Suh is an Austin resident.</p> <section id="articleBottom" class="article--content-zone bottom"></section></div></article> <aside class="article--aside slideshow--aside"> <aside id="zoneD" class="zone"> <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-113718-dynamic_headline_list">   <section class="coreHeadlineList core-headline-list"> <div class="coreHeadlineList--header collectionHeader">  <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/">Latest Opinions</a>  </div>  <ul class="coreHeadlineList--items"> <li class="coreHeadlineList--item card first"><div class="badge"><div class="coreHeadlineList--item-headline bullet"><a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Opinion-If-Biden-goes-big-now-he-may-have-to-go-15939839.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15939839|dynamic_headline_list-113718|1">Opinion: If Biden goes big, he may have to go small later</a></div></div></li> <li class="coreHeadlineList--item card"><div class="badge"><div class="coreHeadlineList--item-headline bullet"><a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Opinion-Dreyfus-affair-reveals-what-it-takes-to-15939309.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15939309|dynamic_headline_list-113718|2">Opinion: How to stop QAnon? Learn from the Dreyfus Affair.</a></div></div></li> <li class="coreHeadlineList--item card"><div class="badge"><div class="coreHeadlineList--item-headline bullet"><a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Finally-Biden-ends-America-s-15937870.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937870|dynamic_headline_list-113718|3">Editorial: Biden ends America’s complicity in Yemen</a></div></div></li> <li class="coreHeadlineList--item card"><div class="badge"><div class="coreHeadlineList--item-headline bullet"><a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/letters/article/Opinion-Pearland-GOP-stays-quiet-in-the-fight-15937305.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937305|dynamic_headline_list-113718|4">Opinion: Pearland GOP stays quiet in the fight against inequality</a></div></div></li> <li class="coreHeadlineList--item card last"><div class="badge"><div class="coreHeadlineList--item-headline bullet"><a class="hdn-analytics " href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Opinion-Election-integrity-or-suppression-Gov-15937296.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937296|dynamic_headline_list-113718|5">Opinion: Texans, gear up to block voter suppression</a></div></div></li> </ul>  </section>  </div></aside> <aside id="zoneC" class="zone">  <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-105830-dynamic_featured_story">    <div class="featuredStory inDepth">  <div class="featuredStory--header inDepth--header collectionHeader">  <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/submit/">SHARE YOUR OPINION</a>  </div> <div class="slide inDepth--wrapper"> <a class="hdn-analytics hdnce-e hdnce-link-92831" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/article/How-to-submit-letters-op-ed-to-Houston-Chronicle-15794874.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit-image|link-92831|premium_article_featured_articles-105830|1"> <div class="slide--img"> <picture class="deferred threeTwo" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"> <source data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/76/76/19132322/5/ratio3x2_425.jpg 1x, https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/76/76/19132322/5/ratio3x2_850.jpg 2x" media="(min-width: 20rem)"> <img data-srcset="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/76/76/19132322/5/ratio3x2_425.jpg" alt=""> </picture> </div> </a> <a class="hdn-analytics hdnce-e hdnce-link-92831" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/article/How-to-submit-letters-op-ed-to-Houston-Chronicle-15794874.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|link-92831|premium_article_featured_articles-105830|1"> <div class="slide--headline">Here's how to submit letters and op-eds to the Chronicle</div> </a> <div class="slide--abstract abstract"></div> </div>  </div>  </div></aside> </aside>  <footer class="article--footer"><div class="content-wrapper"><div class="articleFooter"><div class="articleFooter--author noImage"><div class="articleFooter--author-label">Written By</div><div class="articleFooter--author-name">Jinny Suh</div></div></div></div><section class="article--comments"><button id="commentsButton" data-link="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/articleComments/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php" onclick="document.location.href = 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/articleComments/Suh-Vaccinations-are-not-a-luxury-Why-bad-6512280.php'; return false;">View Comments</button></section></footer> </main><section id="bottomZone" class="zone bottomZone lock"> <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-108168-dynamic_featured_story">   <div class="featuredStory">   <a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Mob-mentality-Some-Texans-arrested-in-15937893.php" data-hdn-analytics="visit|article-15937893|dynamic_featured_story-108168|1"> <section class="featuredStory--wrapper unevenFeature"> <div class="featuredStory--image deferred" data-progressive="true" data-component="picture"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/16/43/25/20591940/4/rawImage.jpg" alt="Jenny Cudd, front, a flower shop owner and former Midland mayoral candidate, and Eliel Rosa leave the federal courthouse in Midland, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The FBI arrested Cudd and Rosa on Wednesday in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S Capitol. (Jacob Ford/Odessa American via AP)"> </div> <div class="featuredStory--content-box"> <span class="featuredStory--kicker featuredStory--kicker-small">Texas Politics</span> <div class="featuredStory--center-content"> <span class="featuredStory--kicker featuredStory--kicker-large">Texas Politics</span> <div class="featuredStory--headline">‘Mob mentality’: Some Texans arrested in Capitol riot cast blame on Trump</div> <div class="featuredStory--abstract"><p>Several of the two dozen Texans facing criminal charges in the riot claim they were inspired by the president’s words and actions, according to charging documents and interviews with their attorneys.</p> </div> <p class="featuredStory--byline"> <span class="author">By Benjamin Wermund</span> </p> </div> </div> </section> </a>  </div>  </div><div class="taboola-skip-wrapper"><div id="taboola-skip"></div></div></section> <footer class="pageFooter"> <div class="lock"> <div class="pageFooter--wrapper"> <div class="pageFooter--left"> <a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/" class="pageFooter--left-logo"></a> <ul class="pageFooter--left-social"> <li class="facebook"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houstonchronicle.com/facebook/" aria-label="facebook"></a></li> <li class="twitter"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houstonchronicle.com/twitter/" aria-label="twitter"></a></li> <li class="instagram"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houstonchronicle.com/instagram/" aria-label="instagram"></a></li> <li class="linkedin"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://houstonchronicle.com/linkedin/" aria-label="linkedin"></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="pageFooter--right"> <div class="pageFooter--right-topLine"> <a href="#content" class="return"><span class="full">Return to</span> Top</a> </div> <div class="pageFooter--right-links">  <div class="hdnce-e hdnce-item-88837"> <ul class="wrapper"> <li> <div class="title">About</div> <ul class="section"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.hearst.com/newspapers/houston-chronicle">Our Company</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/customer_service/article/How-Hearst-Newspapers-is-delivering-information-15151944.php">Newspaper Delivery Safety Procedures</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/privacy_policy">Privacy Notice</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/privacy_policy/#caprivacyrights">Your California Privacy Rights</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/privacy_policy/#interestbasedads">Interest Based Ads</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/terms_of_use/">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/http://marketing.chron.com/">Advertising</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_15/pages/29001">Careers</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="title">Contact</div> <ul class="section"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://subscription.houstonchronicle.com/checkout/354/771/?origin=footer">Subscribe</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://subscription.houstonchronicle.com/eedition" target="_blank">e-Edition</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210211064225/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/archive/search/subscriber/">Archives</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/customer_service">Customer Service</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/faq">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210211064225/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/newsroom_contacts">Newsroom Contacts</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul>  <img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none;" alt="" src="//web.archive.org/web/20210211064225im_/http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?adv=ctg2su6&ct=0:s6ioi9x&fmt=3"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pageFooter--branding"> <img class="pageFooter--branding-logo" src="/web/20210211064225im_/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/img/core/hearst_newspapers_logo.svg" alt="HEARST newspapers logo"/> <span class="pageFooter--branding-copyright">©2021 Hearst</span> </div> </div>  <script> if ( document.readyState === "complete" || (document.readyState !== "loading" && !document.documentElement.doScroll)) { if (HDN && HDN.hasOwnProperty('spotim')) { HDN.spotim.launch('premium',false); } } else { document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { if (HDN && HDN.hasOwnProperty('spotim')) { HDN.spotim.launch('premium',false); } }); } if ( document.readyState === "complete" || (document.readyState !== "loading" && !document.documentElement.doScroll)) { if (HDN && HDN.hasOwnProperty('spotim')) { HDN.spotim.commentCount(undefined,undefined,1); } } else { document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { if (HDN && HDN.hasOwnProperty('spotim')) { HDN.spotim.commentCount(undefined,undefined,1); } }); } </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({flush: true}); </script> </footer>   </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Suh: Vaccinations are not a luxury: Why bad science is bad for Texas