With the measles outbreak now reaching over 700 cases, getting the MMR vaccine is the “most effective way to prevent the spread” of the disease. However, a father in Texas firmly believes that the shots are ineffective, even after his unvaccinated 8-year-old daughter died from measles. “I know it’s not effective because some family members ended up getting the vaccine,” he said, per The Guardian. “They got the measles way worse than some of my kids,” he claims, refusing to accept that his child’s life could have been saved had she been vaccinated.
“The vaccine isn’t effective, he says, as he buries his daughter & his vaccinated relatives are still alive,” remarks a Reddit user. One primary reason that the Texas dad refused appropriate medical treatment for his daughter might be that he is part of the Mennonite community. This religious group takes pride in being “medically free” from societal standards. “Always mind-blowing how the [so-called] true believer, the MAGAcult zealot, will joyfully sacrifice anyone not themselves for their beliefs,” comments another Redditor.

While the death of an 8-year-old is tragic, it’s bizarrely ironic that the father would claim that his vaccinated relatives are worse off than his kids, one of whom is dead. “……are they double dead?” jokes a commenter, implying that you can’t be much worse health-wise than being deceased. Many believe that the father is just attempting to cope by brushing off accountability for his daughter’s death. “[You are] creating a delusion to hide from your culpability in your child’s death,” points out a user. He is doing it “to protect himself psychologically from the pain and guilt,” agrees another.
Acknowledging that you are the reason for the death of your child is not an easy thing, especially when you falsely convince yourself that you’re not at fault. What this irresponsible Texas Mennonite has experienced is heartbreaking for him and his family. Still, he’ll have to realize sooner or later that his intentional ignorance and stupidity cost him a family member’s life — and a young child at that.