Kentucky teen who refuses to get the chickenpox vaccine 'because it contains aborted fetal cells' SUES his school for barring him from basketball practice and classes

A Kentucky teenager who refuses to get the chickenpox vaccine on religious grounds is suing his school for barring him from basketball practice.

Jerome Kunkel, an 18-year-old senior and basketball captain at a Catholic school in Walton, objects to vaccines because he believes they 'contain aborted fetal cells'.

But his stance means he is automatically banned from completing his final term of classes and extracurricular activities at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart/Assumption Academy amid an outbreak affecting 32 people.

The Northern Kentucky Health Department announced last week that all students who are not vaccinated are not allowed to attend school 'ntil 21 days after the onset of rash for the last ill student or staff member.'

+3

Jerome Kunkel is an 18-year-old senior and basketball captain at a Catholic school in Walton. He objects to vaccines because he believes they 'contain aborted fetal cells'. His stance means he is banned from completing his final term of classes and extracurricular activities at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart/Assumption Academy (file image)

+3

Kunkel's lawyer said he has been contacted by the families of 18 other kids in similar situations

THE CATHOLIC ISSUE WITH VACCINES 

In the early 1960s, cells were obtained from two fetuses after two elective abortions - one in England, one in Sweden - neither of which were performed for the purpose of vaccine development. 

That tiny sample of cells was used to help viruses grow in the lab, which are then developed into vaccines to immunize the general public. 

Those fibroblast cells (and no others) are still used today to make five different vaccines: rubella, hepatitis A, varicella (for chickenpox), shingles, and one for rabies. 

Scientists used fetal cells for a number of reasons. Firstly, animal cells are less effective (some would say ineffective) for growing viruses that infect humans. Secondly, during the growth process, cells divide and eventually die. However, fetal cells can divide more times before dying. 

As a result, some Catholics are hesitant about vaccinations because abortions are regarded as a sin worthy of excommunication. 

The National Catholic Bioethics Center urges people to get vaccines that are not derived from these cells. 

However, Pope Benedict XVI, who was formerly head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, ruled that it was morally acceptable for parents to give these vaccines to their children despite their origins because Catholics believe in protecting children from suffering, harm and death.  

Kunkel fumed: 'The fact that I can't finish my senior year of basketball, like our last couple games is pretty devastating. I mean you go through four years of high school, playing basketball, but you look forward to your senior year,' CNN reported.

Students in Kentucky are legally allowed to skip vaccines on religious grounds if they provide a sworn statement, as Kunkel did last year. 

However, the school insists that does not mean the kids have a right to be on public grounds. 

Chickenpox is highly infectious, but those who have the Varicella vaccine are immunized against it. 

Chris Wiest, Kunkel's lawyer, said he has been contacted by the families of 18 other kids in similar situations. 

Kunkel's stance on vaccines is based on the history of how certain strains were developed.

In the early 1960s, cells were obtained from two fetuses after two elective abortions - one in England, one in Sweden - neither of which were performed for the purpose of vaccine development. 

That tiny sample of cells was used to help viruses grow in the lab, which are then developed into vaccines to immunize the general public. 

Those fibroblast cells (and no others) are still used today to make five different vaccines: rubella, hepatitis A, varicella (for chickenpox), shingles, and one for rabies. 

Scientists used fetal cells for a number of reasons. Firstly, animal cells are less effective (some would say ineffective) for growing viruses that infect humans. Secondly, during the growth process, cells divide and eventually die. However, fetal cells can divide more times before dying. 

As a result, some Catholics are hesitant about vaccinations because abortions are regarded as a sin worthy of excommunication. 

The National Catholic Bioethics Center urges people to get vaccines that are not derived from these cells. 

However, Pope Benedict XVI, who was formerly head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, ruled that it was morally acceptable for parents to give these vaccines to their children despite their origins because Catholics believe in protecting children from suffering, harm and death.  

The Health Department responded to the lawsuit: 'The recent actions taken by the Northern Kentucky Health Department regarding the chickenpox outbreak at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart/Assumption Academy was in direct response to a public health threat and was an appropriate and necessary response to prevent further spread of this contagious illness.'