Do You Think Childhood Vaccinations Should Be Compulsory?

[Inanna]

I too share some of your sentiments Limey (you must have been editing when I replied above!). I do agree with much of your view. I also agree with Slyder that it's probably going to cause more offense than anything that dear Slyd has said... But I know I struggled with the question about weather I would fight to keep Imogen alive at 27+5 weeks. I actually made some bargains with the devil... I also drew some lines in the sand. However, I very well would have crossed them had push come to shove. Because she was my child.

When she arrested at about 6 weeks after coming home (she was in hospital) I ran from the room & I just shouted to the Universe. Then I did something that was on auto pilot. I went back in and stood holding her feet & told her if it was her journey to stay I wanted her more than she could ever know. But if she had to leave then I would let her go. She came back. I think it was a lesson in detatchment for me. I actually watched her die before my eyes. Seeing your child in asystole is not something anyone wants. To watch her gag on intubation. To watch her small body limp and unresponsive. I actually am almost hyperventilating typing.

So - long winded. But I get the decisions we need to make. I also know that some of what you've said Limey is going to strike a chord of deep resentment in some. But I do hear you & understand that your perspective comes from a deeper & wider view omn humanity. One I do get.

When it came down to it. I wasn't going to not ventilate my 800 odd gram baby. She had fought this long & I had the medicine available to save her. I am not sure if I am a hypocrite, a fake or what. But it was different. I remember holding views that prems that couldn't breathe alone and cost so much to sustain perhaps it was God's way (Universe, Goddess, law of Nature - whatever). Now, I see we have the medicine. I see my miracle eating a freshly baked bikkie as I type & she's wondering why I blubber.

Far out I don't know the answer but I do get you... *going away to rethink my authenticity*

[LimeSlice]

Thank you Inanna

I know much of what I have said (although I have stated it before a couple of times in varying degrees in relevant threads here) is going to either go over some, or infuriate others. It is not my intention. But there are other considerations than the immediate view of one life, or one family, one community that I believe are just as important in this sort of discussion.

I know I would try and save my children if I had the medicine, but I know there would be a point at which the trauma of those interventions in my mind would be trying to defeat the Law as it was, and I would have to allow myself to let go. And it would be devastating I am sure.

I don't WANT my child to get polio...measles...dipthiria...or any other one of these illnesses. I don't want her to suffer. Bu tI accept that we all walka path and that it may be hers to suffer an illness at some stage, and perhaps even die from it.
I wouldn't LET her die, but as I said, I am not prepared to work on the fear - based strategy of vaccination - especially when many of the things I am supposed to be vaccinating for are NOT deadly or even serious in MOST cases, although there are sometimes serious complications.
I am not prepared to do this when the chances of her catching said illnesses are less than the chances of her having side effects from the vaccine itself, as is the case for some of them - evenin countries where they are still much more prevelant than Australia.

But at the heart of any mandatory vaccination argument there has to be the core idea of curing disease by prevention. So my above question then becomes immediately relevant and an longterm consideration that must be addressed.

[Arcadia]

But at the heart of any mandatory vaccination argument there has to be the core idea of curing disease by prevention. So my above question then becomes immediately relevant and an longterm consideration that must be addressed.

I think this is the sticking point, because pro-vaxers (like myself) do belive that vaccinations are curing disease by prevention. I know you mean prevention by other means, but until people see vaccinations as anything other than miracle workers, the status quo will be to fund more vaccinations, rather than look at other prevention strategies (which is already happening imo, like with the HPV vaccination instead of informing people about safe sex, same with the efforts for an HIV vaccine, rather than looking at the social issues in countries like Africa which sees many people reject safe sex practices).

I know the side effects of vaccinations is a massive issue for most non-vaccinators, but until a study is performed comparing the risk of the disease with the risk of the side effects, medical advice will remain firmly in the camp of vaccinations.

I think side effects of drugs, ultrasounds, radiation therapy, shock therapy etc will be the next wave of studies in this country and other western nations as we turn our attention more and more towards what WE are doing to harm people and our planet.

EDIT: on the topic of premature babies, I also feel it needs to be a case by case situation and people should have a CHOICE whether they want to save their baby or not. I am appalled someone would be charged for turning off a ventilator. But then, Australia used to charge women whose babies died of SIDS. My aunt was questioned by police etc when her daughter died. Our penchant for litigation and 'justice' is just as problematic as the technologies that allow us to play god/dess.

[LimeSlice]

I think this is the sticking point, because pro-vaxers (like myself) do belive that vaccinations are curing disease by prevention. I know you mean prevention by other means

Sorry, I mustn't have been clear.
The core of pro-vax stance, as you have just confirmed, is that vaccines are the conerstone to cure by prevention. which they are, not withstanding other efforts, such as the ones you went on the mention.

The point I was making though was that given that you believe in cure by prevention, the question I posed at the end of my above post regarding population control after we have irradicated all disease and bacteria, becomes relevant.


As an aside, there are risk percentiles available for contracting certain disease preventable by vaccine, especially Hep B and the haemorrage illness supposedly helped by the injection of Vit K at birth, and it is their individual risk tht many people use to dertermine whether or not to use vaccines that pose a risk for their kids.