Do You Think Childhood Vaccinations Should Be Compulsory?

[Freya]

I think it should be a parents choice to vaccinate or not. Same goes for all the other controversial parenting decisions. As long as they are educated on both pro's and con's, making an informed decision. I dont have to live with whether the choice ends up being the right or wrong one.

[onthefly]

We can't quarantine everyone coming into the country - think of the logistics and economic impact.

Anyway, I don't think it should be mandatory, but I think more balanced information needs to be made available for us to make informed decisions and I'd like to see more flexible options available for parents wanting to pick and choose vaccinations and schedules.
On the whole, I think vaccinations are a good thing and have saved lives and for many I think the risk of the disease outweighs the risk of the vaccination.

[RockinSAHD]

[QUOTE=Kamarine;2446641 I've seen a lot of immunised kids sick with the diseases that they were immunised against.

Vaccinations aside, how prevalent would diseases be if we all followed those basic rules?[/QUOTE]

Though I appreciate Kamarine's comments it's another case of mis-education and mis-information!

Trillian, I cannot believe that someone who really understands the issues and risks wouldn't vaccinate. Reading the AVN website is not educating yourself, there are lots of issues with vaccinations but most aren't on peoples radars. If people for and against focussed on the real issues we could have safer vaccines and safer communities.

[onthefly]

If people for and against focussed on the real issues we could have safer vaccines and safer communities.

Please elaborate

[Kamarine]

Though I appreciate Kamarine's comments it's another case of mis-education and mis-information!

Please explain my mis-information for I would hate to be spreading it.

[Sopdet]

I've had to have a multitude of different vaccines due to my travels, yes from a young age as well. I'm undecided about this, as I believe it is a parent's right to decide, but if I know I'm taking my children to places that some of the diseases haven't been wiped out then, yes, I would vaccinate them.

[LimeSlice]

When they pull their heads out of their butts and make safer vaccines, I might revisit my position.

At the moment though, I am not about to give my children who are already at a higher risk (for example) or contracting MS the Hep B vaccine when it has been linked to increased risk of MS.
Nor am I going to give her a vitamin K injection during a non-traumatic/non bruising birth when her body clearly (by virtue of the fact it doesn't produce it itself at birth) need it, when it is synthetic and suspended in a toxic ****tail of preservatives.

So yep, you are right - when people start focusing on the fact that vaccines are NOT safe for everyone and NOT the cure all modern government likes to proclaim they are, and when the government work on amending the schedule for infant and childhood vaccinations, the community would be safer and we would have safer vaccines.

[RockinSAHD]

I'm sorry Kamarine but saying that 'I've seen a lot of immunised kids sick with the diseases that they were immunised against' is just herd-immunity again and not understanding the community context...

When I hear the voice of anti-vaccination I hear about autism and MS etc. but no evidence whatsoever and never the real issues.

[Miss.September]

I think that as far as the scaremongering goes, it doesn't matter which side of the fence you sit on, or for what topic either. I think that pro-vaccinate people will feel like they are doing the wrong thing in the opinions of those who don't vaccinate and vice versa. I think its a case of people really believing in their decisions and pushing across their point of view so strongly that others may feel a little threatened by the passion. But passion is ALWAYS a good thing!!

Trillion, I chose to vaccinate DD because I believe it is for her greater good. I don't think twice about injections for myself, but I did the research for her. We don't have the risk factors in my family and I believe that an immunisation is another form of protecting her against numerous diseases. There are certainly plenty of horrible child diseases out there so if I can attempt to eliminate some, or lessen the effects of some, then I'll give it a go. I remember having chicken pox as a child, something I wasn't immunised against. I had the lumps in my throat, over my tongue, and up inside me. My brother had the immunisation and he had the lumps, but only across his back and legs. Now I know that I can't guarantee it was the immunisation that made the difference, but it could have been. I believe that if people are making an informed choice NOT to immunise then that's all we can ask for I guess. If it's just following the trend of the time, then that's not a good thing, for either side of the debate.

[RockinSAHD]

Limeslice: I understand the issues with VitK and would have rather my babies not had it, though I understand this complicates what i'm saying!

[LimeSlice]

There is evidence about the link to MS - do some research and you will find it, and i beg your pardon but yes, for those of us affected by MS, it is "real issue".

[Kamarine]

I'm sorry Kamarine but saying that 'I've seen a lot of immunised kids sick with the diseases that they were immunised against' is just herd-immunity again and not understanding the community context...

When I hear the voice of anti-vaccination I hear about autism and MS etc. but no evidence whatsoever and never the real issues.

I'm not saying they aren't effective. I believe them to be. I just think they are not the be all and end all. I think there is a multitude of other things that can be done to prevent the spread.

But I don't condone taking the choice.

I'll admit I badly worded it the first time. I'm terrible at expressing myself and I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

[RockinSAHD]

Limeslice: I have cared for people with late stage MS but also people with liver disease and don't take either lightly. I would like to see the evidence where the incidence of MS has increased when a community has taken up the hep B vaccine. I would listen.

I am sorry Kamarine because I understand what you mean but these diseases are very infectious and I would like to believe that its easy to control the without vaccination but I have never seen it done. I don't believe it can be.

[Kamarine]

I am sorry Kamarine because I understand what you mean but these diseases are very infectious and I would like to believe that its easy to control the without vaccination but I have never seen it done. I don't believe it can be.

My clearly badly stated point was, it's not going to be vaccinations alone. It needs to be a conscious effort as well. Vaccinations are not 100%. But sick people staying home will probably go a long way.

I delayed because I think it's too much too soon, too fast. Not because of any other reason. I think they have a place and as much as I do wish for them revised and possibly a bit less chemical heavy, they still have a use.

[Miss.September]

But sick people staying home will probably go a long way.

Bingo!!

[RockinSAHD]

I agree too Kamarine, people staying at home when they are sick would save 10's of thousands of lives every year.

Would you have the government make it compulsory for people to stay at home if they're sick? ;P

[Kamarine]

I agree too Kamarine, people staying at home when they are sick would save 10's of thousands of lives every year.

Would you have the government make it compulsory for people to stay at home if they're sick? ;P

I wish But that contradicts my prior statement about freedom of choice. People can choose to be selfish sadly.

[jesses_girl]

DS definently changed after having his 6 week shots, i researched till my eyes bled when i was pregnant. The internet became my only resource because my libary doesnt hold books about non vaccinated children. I couldnt find alot of information, but i do think i made an informed decision to vacciante. Although im not so sure about the 4mth shots... He def chaged, (timing conicidental idk?) Ds got very very sick. 10 trips to the doctor and 1 emergecy visit later and he has only just had a full feed. His sleep was interuppted (before he was sick) and its only just getting better, slightly. I feel as though i let him down. Im thinking i might possibly delay. As said before, i think too much too soon. DS started breathing again with his intercostal sp? muscles, and was breathing at 60 bpm, hence the trip to emergency. As a part of the 'new parents' thing at my GP, we had whooping cough, diptheria and tetanus shots (for free) i am now sick. I never get flu shots, as i always get the flu anyway.... i refused the swine flu vax when i was pregnant. As it was a new vaccination, and i was skeptical. DS will not be getting flu shots. I hope to not give him polio vax. I am not sure if it is a combined dose, will have to look in my book. I will not be making my decision for the wider community, i will not be making my decision for YOUR child. I will be making my decision for my child. Im sorry to get off topic and i will get to that, i just want to say, things change. DS reacted midly, now i have to make another informed decision about his next shots. That rightly so, is my decision as a parent. Noone will change that. It is rediculous sp, to say so. And IMO headline grabbing. Same as gisele.