Community Chat

[RainCityGirl]

I'm not very sympathetic since one of our high schools now has a whooping cough problem. Those who can't have those shots for medical reasons are the very ones who are at risk here, due to ones who simply chose not to be vaccinated. And then there's babies, or the elderly who may not have had shots in their time. If it affects the population, do people really have the right to put all others at risk because they have an unsubstantiated hunch about vaccinations?

[KittyLouSoutenu]

Have people just gotten so blase about these diseases (because of their virtual eradication due to immunizations) that they think it's just their choice and that their choice has no consequences to others?

It seems so self absorbed to me to think it's all about choice.

[faeriemoon]

On 2/27/2015 occasional rain said:

On 2/27/2015 chrystaltree said:

I have no problem with parents opting out of vaccinations for their kids for LEGITIMATE health reasons. In fact, states that mandate vaccinations allow that. But parents shouldn't be allowed to opt out for philosophical or psuedo-science reasons or just plain ignorance. Every parent has a right to put their own child at risk but they do not have a right to put other people's children at risk and that is what happens when we allow people to opt out of vaccinations. Like it or not, for the good of society, we all have to do things that we aren't particularly happy about. It's not like vaccinations are brand new and untested and it's not like the Small pox, measles, ruebella etc aren't serious diseases.

Since other parents have the right to vaccinate their child and therefore remove the health risk presented by those unvaccinated it's not a public health concern sufficient to require giving up one's rights. Even unvaccinated, the measles is not fatal in most people, so again not sufficient to force people to give up the right to choose what's put into their body or the bodies of their children.

That's fine. They can home school their children.

As for the first part of your post, some children cannot be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons. These are the children who are in danger of catching measles from a child whose parents didn't want to "give up their rights."

[terrier3]

On 2/27/2015 KittyLouSoutenu said:

Have people just gotten so blase about these diseases (because of their virtual eradication due to immunizations) that they think it's just their choice and that their choice has no consequences to others?

It seems so self absorbed to me to think it's all about choice.

ITA.

Vaccinations shouldn't be a choice. Unless there is a VALID medical reason - everyone should be vaccinated.

It's just being a good neighbor and a good citizen.

There are people with weakened immune systems who could die from something as simple as getting the measles. How could anyone live with themselves, knowing they could prevent this kind of disaster by just getting a simple, safe, usually FREE vaccination?

So many diseases have come close to be eradicated, I think some parents are becoming blase about the consequences. Maybe if polio comes back - people might take vaccinations as seriously as they should.

[brii]

Do people really want vaccines to be mandatory? Really?

If you don't want to vaccinate your kid, go live in some remote area where you don't come in contact with people.

Vaccines should not be mandatory though.

[Autumn in NY]

On 2/27/2015 terrier3 said:

On 2/27/2015 KittyLouSoutenu said:

Have people just gotten so blase about these diseases (because of their virtual eradication due to immunizations) that they think it's just their choice and that their choice has no consequences to others?

It seems so self absorbed to me to think it's all about choice.

ITA.

Vaccinations shouldn't be a choice. Unless there is a VALID medical reason - everyone should be vaccinated.

It's just being a good neighbor and a good citizen.

There are people with weakened immune systems who could die from something as simple as getting the measles. How could anyone live with themselves, knowing they could prevent this kind of disaster by just getting a simple, safe, usually FREE vaccination?

So many diseases have come close to be eradicated, I think some parents are becoming blase about the consequences. Maybe if polio comes back - people might take vaccinations as seriously as they should.

Have you been vaccinated for Measles?

[faeriemoon]

On 2/27/2015 brii said:

Do people really want vaccines to be mandatory? Really?

If you don't want to vaccinate your kid, go live in some remote area where you don't come in contact with people.

Vaccines should not be mandatory though.

They are mandatory if you want to go to public school.

[KittyLouSoutenu]

On 2/27/2015 faeriemoon said:

On 2/27/2015 occasional rain said:

On 2/27/2015 chrystaltree said:

I have no problem with parents opting out of vaccinations for their kids for LEGITIMATE health reasons. In fact, states that mandate vaccinations allow that. But parents shouldn't be allowed to opt out for philosophical or psuedo-science reasons or just plain ignorance. Every parent has a right to put their own child at risk but they do not have a right to put other people's children at risk and that is what happens when we allow people to opt out of vaccinations. Like it or not, for the good of society, we all have to do things that we aren't particularly happy about. It's not like vaccinations are brand new and untested and it's not like the Small pox, measles, ruebella etc aren't serious diseases.

Since other parents have the right to vaccinate their child and therefore remove the health risk presented by those unvaccinated it's not a public health concern sufficient to require giving up one's rights. Even unvaccinated, the measles is not fatal in most people, so again not sufficient to force people to give up the right to choose what's put into their body or the bodies of their children.

That's fine. They can home school their children.

As for the first part of your post, some children cannot be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons. These are the children who are in danger of catching measles from a child whose parents didn't want to "give up their rights."

No, it not's fine if they just home school their children.

Those kids will be going out to ball games and birthday parties and scout meetings.

It's only fine if they have no contact with other kids.

[RainCityGirl]

If I'm not mistaken, they WERE once mandatory. You could not register a child in school without proof of vaccinations. If it's to protect the population from epidemics of disease that can be erradicated, it SHOULD be mandatory with only medical exceptions.

[brii]

On 2/27/2015 faeriemoon said:

On 2/27/2015 brii said:

Do people really want vaccines to be mandatory? Really?

If you don't want to vaccinate your kid, go live in some remote area where you don't come in contact with people.

Vaccines should not be mandatory though.

They are mandatory if you want to go to public school.

I know that. Not everybody goes to public school though.

There are some vaccines that are not required for school as of now.