Eighty children get chickenpox at Brunswick North West Primary, a school that calls for 'tolerance' of vaccine dodgers

I am personally invested in this story for a number of reasons. It is an absolute beat-up. Here is what I wrote to the journalist responsible:

The article seems to focus a negative light on the schools call for tolerance of those with differing views. Why this has been beat up into anything other than something that any responsible state school would do is beyond me. The school has a legal obligation to remain neutral and inclusive, as do all Victorian schools. We are proud of our diverse community and an outbreak such as this has had tremendous consequences for many families as you can imagine. For our school leadership team to prompt the community to retain it's tolerant and respectful spirit during trying times is exactly what we would all hope for!

And the reasons behind the outbreak are complex. A lot of our 5/6 students missed our on the varicella shot as children as it was not yet on the schedule when they were young. Currently, only one dose of this vaccine is scheduled and one dose is only 80% effective. A booster is (sometimes) recommended but must be paid for out of the parents own pocket. The information we (parents and school community) received from the government did NOT inform us the boosters may stop this outbreak taking hold.

To continue to pit this as a pro vs anti vaccine debate is completely irresponsible. The real story here is why hasn't the government updated the schedule? Why are children born 2004 and earlier, not being offered the booster earlier? And, why isn't the second dose scheduled too?

This story is having serious consequences for the children at our school. By choosing to specifically name our school you have encouraged further media presence. Children and parents have been accosted by journalists and children under protection orders have been filmed without parental consent.

I urge you to take this story down, rewrite it to reflect the situation in an accurate way, or at the very least, remove our schools name.

/r/australia Thread Link - brisbanetimes.com.au