Going by THIS article, apparently 2/3 of Western Australians think so. Comments?
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Going by THIS article, apparently 2/3 of Western Australians think so. Comments?
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.
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!!
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 :dunno:
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.
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.
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!!!
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.....
Over my dead body would I allow someone to inject that poison into my child's body on mandate.
The suggestion itself offends me...as does the notion that diseases do not exist simply because the inoculations came about.
Sorry, Lime, didn't mean to offend you or anyone :redface: I know that immunisations aren't the sole reason for the diseases going away.
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.
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.:
Trillian - yeah I know :D thats why I said I was in two minds about it and that I think making this sort of thing compulsory is against human rights. Like most things I do believe in choice but I would also hate to see a child (any child) get sick and die from something that was preventable ITMS?? ;)
Nae x x x
I personally believe in the effectiveness of vaccinations and I feel that the benefits of some of them outweighs the levels of toxins they contain... but I am 100% against compulsary vaccinating. I have no qualms what-so-ever with someone else concluding differently to me and choosing not to vax and I also take great offense to the idea that the vax schedule is perfect and would therefore have to be followed to the letter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I didnt' realise though that only 1200 people lived in WA though ;)
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.:
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.
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.....
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!
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!!! ;):
Yeah, well, there's a point. I wonder how many people actually do it only for the money.
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.
The child care rebate can be quite a lot and not such a piddly amount for those using child care. I have a friend who was delaying the MMR but she had it done as she was threatened with her CCR being stopped.:
If a private health company does that, that is their right I'm afraid, and that may just have to be part of decision making in the future, that if I don't immunise my child against a particular disease and they get that disease then the treatment for that disease and any residual effects are not covered.
I have a problem with government mandating it however.
I still get CCR and we have not given Charlotte a single vaccination.
I think this is a HUGE misconception going around at the moment - that you can have payments suspended or something from CL for NOT having kids vaxed and it is simply UNTRUE.
I have recieved all payments with no issues at all, all you have to do is present the COF to CLink and that is it.
I think Trill was actually referring to the Immunisation Rebate itself anyway which is only a coupl eof hundred dollars.
I chose to vaccinate my children for my own personal reasons and I made that choice as an informed parent. Other informed parents choose not to vaccinate for their own reasons and that is fine with me. It's freedom of choice and I don't believe that should be taken away. Do we really need a nanny state dictating what we can and can't do?
Oh yeah- I know that sorry. I told my friend about the COF but she decided to just go and vax anyway even though she really didn't want too- I was referring to the parents that vax because of that pressure. I received the immunisation rebate because we had signed the COF.:
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 :o 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!
Yes, I meant the immunisation allowance and not the CCR. And LS is right, they cannot withhold the CCR from you, that is just outright scare tactics so you vaccinate your child so they don't have to deal with it at childcare. Plus the one time I had DS2 in childcare while I studied I got the CCR even though he is not fully immunised either.:
Really? Without a COF? I get the CCR now, but I have signed a COF.:
Not extreme. My DH and I hvae said this as well. Hey we might be able to start our own country :lol:!!!:
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.
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.
you need to sign the COF - otherwise CCB can (and will) be with held until you are either up to date with injections, have signed COF or have an approved catch up schedule that your GP provides to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register:
the stopping of CCB is to remind parents to do one of the above - people forget - it's human nature - but when a potentially large sum of money is on the line (think of someone on max rate child care and CCR - a week of no rebates could cost them in excess of 200 dollars) - it is a good reminder for them isn't it? you are not obliged to have your child immunised - you are, however, obliged to show that you have made a conscious decision (via COF) rather than simply forgetting or being too lazy to do something. This is also the reason that the MIA has been split up now to be delivered at 18months (ish) and after 4 year old immunisations - for some people, that piddly amount of money is important, and if they get a letter saying "hey, you're not up to date, you won't get that payment" they'll get off their backsides and either get their child immunised of sign COF
personally, i will have DD immunised - i have seen a child with whooping cough and she was very very ill. her mum admitted "oh, i forgot to get her needles" - that child was in FDC in my home, and infected my dad (he was immunocompromised due to emphysema) and he became extremely unwell and was like that for a long long time (months). he couldn't be left alone for over 3 months as he would start coughing, lose consciousness and collapse. thankfully no other children in care caught it (i believe all were vaccinated but i can't be sure). it took over six weeks for my dad to be diagnosed (the child was taken out of care due to her illness and didn't let anyone know of the diagnosis - it was only discovered after mum made a call to her to let her know of dad's diagnosis) - my cousin also caught it (she was 21) and it led to her getting meningitis (can't recall how - i think it was due to her being immunocomprimised from the WC)
now, i have no issue with people making a conscious decision, after researching, to not vax their children. it is entirely up to them. and i would be appalled at any government that even attempted to legislate - but i don't mind having "incentives" in place to remind people to follow the schedule. if you choose to vaccinate, the schedule is there for a reason - getting a reminder (and lets face it - hip pocket reminders hit the hardest) isn't a bad thing (this is what happens now) - if you don't want to vaccinate it doesn't take much to lodge a form does it?
i vax and thats my decision and it heartbreaking seeing DS so upset when it does happen but theres no way i could be forced to do something i dont want to do when it comes to my kids its the same for all other parenting decisions you cant take away ppls right to choose
I just want to say... I am really impressed with everyone, you are all so wonderful! No matter what you would choose, you see the importance of everyone having a choice, even if it's not your own and you respect one another's choices, discussing these things with such understanding. Such a great bunch on BB xx