Supporters of vaccination for all healthy children argue that vaccines save lives. Jewish law requires us to take good care of our health and our bodies. The requirement to guard one’s health obligates us to take preventive measures, such as exercise, a good diet, and even vaccinations to prevent illness.

Article, lesson plan and source sheet included.

GRADES: 7-10, 50 minutes

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Should vaccines be required for all healthy children? Why or why not?

LESSON AT A GLANCE  The recent measles outbreak has renewed the debate about whether parents should be required to vaccinate their children. In this lesson, students play a game of Outbreak to simulate the spread of disease with and without vaccine protection, study Jewish texts about the responsibility to protect other people’s health, and create posters about their responsibilities to keep each other healthy.

OBJECTIVES

·         Students will understand how vaccination prevents the spread of disease.

·         Students will study Jewish texts about keeping others healthy.

·         Students will brainstorm ways to keep other people healthy.