Do You Think Childhood Vaccinations Should Be Compulsory?

[BellyBelly]

Going by THIS article, apparently 2/3 of Western Australians think so. Comments?

[BellyBelly]

I personally think compulsory vaccination is a huge violation of human rights. We have choice, we deserve them. Who knows what they are going to put in those vaccines, and they already have loads of problems with quality testing and assurance - imagine if that flu vaccine that was giving babies all those convulsions etc happened to all our babies on a mass scale? This is just so so so very wrong. I'll be fighting this one thick and thin.

[miss.cinders]

I personally think compulsory vaccination is a huge violation of human rights. We have choice, we deserve them. Who knows what they are going to put in those vaccines, and they already have loads of problems with quality testing and assurance - imagine if that flu vaccine that was giving babies all those convulsions etc happened to all our babies on a mass scale? This is just so so so very wrong. I'll be fighting this one thick and thin.

Couldn't have said it better myslef. 100% agree.

[Bathsheba]

Interesting comment Epacris I like hearing lots of viewpoints! Oh and BTW i prefer wearing seat belts too LOL that was just part of an analogy to explain how something can have incidences of tragedy after use but is statistically safer for the majority. But i still don't think it would be wise to legislate for compulsory vaccination although the word "compulsory" when used by the government is sometimes pretty flexible in reality. It is "compulsory" for a child to attend school.... but we all know that lots of families home school for instance. People hate the word "compulsory"... it just gets everyone's hackles up.... like any strongly emotion laden word does... I reckon it should be compulsory to avoid using the word "compulsory" when referring to the general public! Unless you are living in a dictatorship there are usually ways and means around things to accomodate common sense.

[stepmum1]

NO way, is anyone ever going to make it compulsory to inject harmful toxins into my children and risk advese reactions and an incompromised immune system.

It is so frustrating how many already think that the childhood immunisation schedule is already compulsory. Haven't the government marketing groups done a great job on that one!!

[NaeNae]

I am personally a little undecided on this issue.
While I think making this sort of thing compulsory is against human rights, I just can't help shake the niggle that immunisation helps to prevent serious cases of various illnesses, I mean there is a reason why some of the diseases out there are a rare occurance these days .... I would hate to loose a baby to a preventable illness but maybe its because I have already lost a baby that I feel like this

[BellyBelly]

PS. Even if you voted yes, please feel free to share your comments. It's free speech, anyone abusing or flaming others will be dealt with, and if required, banned from the thread/discussion.

[BellyBelly]

I see how you can come to that conclusion Nae... I guess we are in a society of things going wrong and being interfered with as well as dealing with loss, that people are now hypervigilant about it and want to do all they can to stop it.

[Miss.September]

I've just watched my mum, who pushing 60, just came down with whooping cough. She wasn't allowed to be around babies under 6 months (for 100 days), so I am selfishly thankful that DD is older and we didn't have to stay away from her. So the diseases are coming back slowly. But I agree with freedom of choice, and I don't believe it should be compulsory, but I get angry when the reason given for not vaccinating is because the diseases aren't there anymore. They aren't there because of the immunisations helping! So that's my standing on the soap box moment!!!

[Lulu]

I don't care if they did make them compulsory - I wouldn't do it. What a joke that anyone can think they can tell me what to do with my child.....

[Trillian]

I've just watched my mum, who pushing 60, just came down with whooping cough. She wasn't allowed to be around babies under 6 months (for 100 days), so I am selfishly thankful that DD is older and we didn't have to stay away from her. So the diseases are coming back slowly. But I agree with freedom of choice, and I don't believe it should be compulsory, but I get angry when the reason given for not vaccinating is because the diseases aren't there anymore. They aren't there because of the immunisations! So that's my standing on the soap box moment!!!

It could also be argued that the reason why a lot of them aren't around anymore is because we wash our hands more often and have better levels of hygiene, access to health services and better health in general - just food for thought

Nae, I understand what you are saying, but if you feel that way, then you should have the option to use them if you want to kwim - the question isn't about the benefits of vaccination, but rather should people essentially be forced to do it if it were made compulsory. This could be asked about anything - should circumcision be made compulsory because of evidence suggesting it reduces the risk of cancer, or should it be made compulsory that we can't co-sleep because it will reduce the risk of smothering an infant or child - it sets us on a slippery slope towards the Government making all our parenting decisions for us. Heck they have already done it with homebirth haven't they? It is a basic right of being a parent that we are the ones to make the choices about what is the best thing for our children, not the right of the Government. It isn't really about what you would or wouldn't choose (even though I chose NO), but rather having the right to make the decision for yourself.

[Little Chicken]

I've just watched my mum, who pushing 60, just came down with whooping cough. She wasn't allowed to be around babies under 6 months (for 100 days), so I am selfishly thankful that DD is older and we didn't have to stay away from her. So the diseases are coming back slowly. But I agree with freedom of choice, and I don't believe it should be compulsory, but I get angry when the reason given for not vaccinating is because the diseases aren't there anymore. They aren't there because of the immunisations! So that's my standing on the soap box moment!!!

So agree with you corelly, I don't want to imagine a world where smallpox is still rife and other killer diseases like diptheria and measles were a scary reality for parents (my grandmother nearly died from diptheria as a child). However I don't think it should be compulsory because once you start forcing people into proceedures, where does that road end? I think the answer is in education from reputable sources and yes there are some very good and very bad ones out there, the hard part is in educating people on what amkes an article a good one.

[homeopathmichele]

NO way, is anyone ever going to make it compulsory to inject harmful toxins into my children and risk advese reactions and an incompromised immune system.

It is so frustrating how many already think that the childhood immunisation schedule is already compulsory. Haven't the government marketing groups done a great job on that one!!

[~Trish~]

I voted NO. Although our children are immunised (we too made an informed decision we are happy with), I would be horrified if that choice was taken away from us and from others. How dare anyone force that upon us!

[BellyBelly]

Same here, Just Me.

[Pretty Butterfly]

Exactly what i thought JM..... So many saying they can see both sides and everyone deserves a choice, but the stats show that only about half actually believe that, and our kids should be jabbed without our say so....

[boobaloo]

I am personally a big believer in vaccinations, and both of my children are up to date with thier needles. that being said, i don't discriminate others who make an informed decision to not vaccinate. however, i believe that if fail-safe vaccinations were produced, then i'd be more inclined to say they should be compulsory. just my humble opinion.

[boomba]

Definitely not, thats like forcing everyone to eat only brown M&Ms, you cannot take away the basic right of choice.

Look we have Vaxed our kids...DS2 is delayed by choice....BOTH decison were informed and Educated...I really dont believe that the government is out to hurt people in this statement they are just trying to work out what is bst(and we all know that sometimes they are waaaay wrong:P )..maybe i am niave but...I also dont think Vaxs were created to harm anyone either!

But you cannot take away choice!