When Dr. Jack Wolfson speaks, jaws drop. But his fans applaud.
He has given a medical face to the anti-vaccine movement — eagerly stepping in front of TV cameras to beat up on vaccines and make light of the dangerous diseases they help prevent.
CDC: Measles spreads to 14 states. Deadly virus blamed on anti-vaccine movement http://t.co/waiaeWDc1y @CNN pic.twitter.com/WTLqe1k8FJ
During the recent upsurge of measles cases, he’s been a frequent presence.
But this week, he’s suddenly gone silent.
E-mails and phone calls went unanswered. And Wednesday, when a CNN news team showed up at his practice, someone called the police.
Confronted in the parking lot, Wolfson turned his back to the camera.
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On his YouTube channel, Wolfson makes light of measles with a video from a black-and-white TV show that apparently aired in 1959 before a vaccine was available.
Its message, delivered as quotes from the characters: “It’s not serious.” “It’s kid’s stuff.”
“They are doing active harm,” said Dr. Peter Lipson, a practicing internist, who has urged state medical boards to investigate and pull the licenses of physicians like Wolfson.
“As physicians we are supposed to do no harm. These doctors are creating harm. They are promoting the spread of infectious diseases, which we should have wiped out by now.”
Tell that to Wolfson’s patients.
Outside his office, the parking lot was full Wednesday.
His office told CNN his schedule is packed with patients — seeking the doctor’s medical advice.
