Doctors Warn Parents Not to Use Chicken Pox-Tainted Lollipops

Would you give your child a lollipop that another kid had licked? We didn't think so. But in an effort to "naturally immunize" their children against the chicken pox, a community of parents connected via Facebook groups like "Find a Pox Party in Your Area" is mail-ordering or trading in-person lollipops licked by children infected with the virus, giving “pox parties” (where parents expose their unvaccinated child to one who has the virus) a 21st-century twist.

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Doctors and lawmakers have spoken out against this practice, saying that it's unsafe and could spread other viruses like hepatitis. The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Jerry Martin said to the Associated Press: "Can you imagine getting a package in the mail from this complete stranger that you know from Facebook because you joined a group, and say here, drink this purported spit from some other kid?" Sending viruses or diseases through the mail is also a federal crime.

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What's your take on "pox parties" or this newer twist on them? Did you vaccinate your children against the chicken pox?