Doctors take a pledge to “First, do no harm.” This credo is derived from the Hippocratic oath – a sworn solemn duty doctors make when they embark on their career. The Hippocratic oath is nothing to sneeze at; few other professions require a swearing of allegiance to a millennia-old professional ethical and moral code.

Modern society deeply depends on doctors. Which is why recent international reactions against doctors – from mistrust to outright attack – represent a disturbing trend that can not only lead to an immediate threat to global health workers but also precipitate that all-feared outbreak of an uncontrollable epidemic.

Protesters against legislation requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated rally at the Capitol this month. Senate Bill 277, if approved, would require most California parents to vaccinate their children as a condition of enrolling them in… — Protesters against legislation requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated rally at the Capitol this month. Senate Bill 277, if approved, would require most California parents to vaccinate their children as a condition of enrolling them in private or public schools. Rich Pedroncelli The Associated Press

Fear of doctors and vaccine programs is a worldwide phenomenon, from developing nations to the United States. American trepidation toward state-mandated vaccines in school drew demonstrators last week against California legislation. Protesters came to the capital to fight a change in immunization exemptions. Celebrities added fuel to the fire. Read more...