Do You Think Childhood Vaccinations Should Be Compulsory?

[Just Me]

I am pro vaccination for my own kids, but a bit mortified at the idea that the choice would be taken away from me. Just as people who don't want to vaccinate their kids want a choice, I want to be the one making the choice to vax my kids because I think it is right not because someone tells me I have to - does that make sense?

I would also consider it a massive violation of human rights for everyone, not just for those that don't want to. We should all be able to make that choice for ourselves doing what we feel is right.

[luna moth]

I'm with meow - benefits of some vaccines outweigh the risks.

BUT I do think that vax should be compulsory, because if it's not, a lot of uneducated people would just take the "meh" road. I'm OK with a small percentage of conscientious objection, like many non-vaxers here, but I am not OK with folks like my stepcousininlaw who hasn't vaxed just because she can't be bothered.

[Trillian]

Yep Nae, it does make sense I guess I see if from the other side of the fence as well where I would hate to see a child die or get very very ill because of the vaccination - because it has happened - and that's why I think we should never have this decision taken away from us, because sometimes we have to weigh up what the risks are to our children as individuals and not what is for the greater good of the wider community.

*snap* Audax. There will always be people who take that attitude an even if made compulsory, there will still be people who have that attitude and not have it done.

[Tuesday's Child]

I refused the Hep B vaccine for DD at birth but have followed the schedule since then. This is my choice on her behalf and it's scary to know that taking away that choice is even up for discussion.

[LimeSlice]

Must say though, another fabulous example of WA journalistic and research skills: when 800 people is considered a realistic representation of a 2 and a quarter million population, I will strip naked and feed myself to the sharks.

[Miss.September]

I'd love to see a really fair representation of serious discussions.....if we have to vote at an election, give us some other things to vote for on polling day too to get a true representation on how people feel. We're in serious trouble if we have to live in a country where it is totally up to the bureaucrats!

Going off what I said earlier, I truly believe that if you have weighed up the pros/cons for yourself and your child, then that's perfect and nobody has the right to take that decision away from you, whatever your decision may be. While I may be passionate for immunisating MY child, I understand that there are people out there who are passionate for not immunising too. But because you can't be bothered? Audax, your cousin is scary!

[Pretty Butterfly]

. But because you can't be bothered? Audax, your cousin is scary!

I dont think too many people do that for too long though... without being vac'd or a COF in place at 18mnths, they miss out on the c/link money... usually a good motivator!!!

[Miss.September]

Yeah, well, there's a point. I wonder how many people actually do it only for the money.

[Trillian]

Corelly, you'd be surprised at how much that piddly amount of money can motivate people to do it unfortunately.

I just had a really worrying thought about all this. This is a survey conducted by a Private Health Insurance company - companies like this will often put precursors on what they will and wont cover, so it is pretty easy to make the leap and assume that a path they could try to take in the future is pushing for compulsory vaccination for you or your children if you are to to be covered under your policy - like with smokers and drinkers etc.

[Trillian]

I didnt' realise though that only 1200 people lived in WA though

Almost two-thirds of West Australians believe routine childhood vaccination should be compulsory, a new survey has revealed.
A poll of 800 people by Painted Dog Research for health insurer HBF and _The West Australian _also found that more than half of people believed parents who refused to vaccinate their children were irresponsible.

Interesting to note that this was a survey conducted by a Private health fund - a fund which in it's best interests needs people to stay well just more food for thought.

[Pretty Butterfly]

I dont care what *they* decide, over my dead body will they inject my beautiful perfect children without MY say so.

I seriously cant believe that with what has happened with the flu shot, now is the best time to even mention making it mandatory... what a joke. Just ask those poor mums if they would like their babies jabbed again, WITHOUT their permission.....

[Cherished]

I would seriously consider moving country if vaccination were compulsory. I'm sure many may think that is a bit extreme but it's no where near as extreme and injecting God knows what into my baby It astounds me how some parents don't want their kids around other kids that haven't been vaccinated... surely if they have such belief in the vaccination working they have nothing to worry about. The government should think the same way and if they offer vaccination to those who want it fine but please don't force it onto anyone!

[stepmum1]

I would seriously consider moving country if vaccination were compulsory. I'm sure many may think that is a bit extreme but it's no where near as extreme and injecting God knows what into my baby It astounds me how some parents don't want their kids around other kids that haven't been vaccinated... surely if they have such belief in the vaccination working they have nothing to worry about. The government should think the same way and if they offer vaccination to those who want it fine but please don't force it onto anyone!

Not extreme. My DH and I hvae said this as well. Hey we might be able to start our own country !!!

[BellyBelly]

I posted an article on my FB page yesterday i think it was, they were now admitting a resurgence of things like whooping cough as it has mutated, and the vaccine isn't working anymore. So no longer is it a valid argument that it's the non-vaxed kids causing all these outbreaks and problems. Its vaccinated kids too.

[Persephone1]

I think the only thing that should be compulsory is that parents be allowed to make a fully informed decision about immunisations. Currently, GPs, MCHNs, etc, only hand out government-published pamphlets about immunisations. The government websites only provide reasons why we should vaccinate, not arguments against. If you want to know the ingredients in a particular vaccine, you have to do the research yourself (and as someone who's doing that research right now, it's HARD to find balanced information that I can understand as a non-medically trained person).

What's more, vaccines are grouped together, which further takes away our choice. If I want to give my DS the whooping cough vaccine but not the Diptheria vaccine, apparently I can't do that because they're given in the same dose. WHY? It should be our choice as parents, not the pharma companies.

I also don't like being told what to do. Give me the arguments for and against, and allow me to make an informed decision, and there's a possibility I'll do what you want me to do - but it's my decision.

[BellyBelly]

Whooping cough vaccine may need to change, say researchers | News.com.au

[Sammiejane]

I voted NO

Molly Jane recently caught the Chicken Pox, from a vaccinated child... So vaccinating children will not stop the spread.
Making it compulsory in Australia will not stop the spread as we holiday overseas where it will not be compulsory and people holiday or immigrate from countries that will not have made it compulsory.

I choose not to vac any longer, i made an informed, educated and well researched decision... it is however my choice and understand that others vaccinate for their own reasons... each to their own, as long as it is not a blind decision. - i would have been mighty annoyed if i had of vaccinated MJ against Chicken Pox and she had of got them anyway!

[Pretty Butterfly]

I voted NO

Molly Jane recently caught the Chicken Pox, from a vaccinated child... So vaccinating children will not stop the spread.
Making it compulsory in Australia will not stop the spread as we holiday overseas where it will not be compulsory and people holiday or immigrate from countries that will not have made it compulsory.

I choose not to vac any longer, i made an informed, educated and well researched decision... it is however my choice and understand that others vaccinate for their own reasons... each to their own, as long as it is not a blind decision. - i would have been mighty annoyed if i had of vaccinated MJ against Chicken Pox and she had of got them anyway!

Its hilarious isn't it?? my eldest 3 caught CP again (they are vac'd) when my 3 littlies did.. I could tell the littlies had them, but the big ones just got a few spots I didn't notice... so who was out spreading it??? My vac'd ones, not the unvac ones!!! There is SO much more spreading going on from the boarders than from unvac kidlets, but they make us out to be practically lepars!!!