Six Questions I have for those who oppose vaccination:
1)
I’ve often heard it said that declining on the
offer of vaccinations for their children is a parent’s right. But is it not the child—a developing, independent human being—whose
rights are at stake here?
2)
When the polio, rubella, mumps (or any of the
other communicable illnesses against which vaccines have protected us) reappear
in the anti-vaxxer community—as they have already begun to do—will the victims begin to charge care-givers with
failing to provide the necessities of life? (Click Here for Information)
3)
The use of vaccines is not a simple “yes” or
“no” and “done” proposition. Vaccines are never 100% effective until “herd
immunity” curtails the spreading of infections person to person. In other
words, the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations will both be made more and
more vulnerable if the number of unprotected persons reaches a percentage such
that community re-infection again becomes a factor. Does
the majority, vaccinated community have a right to deny unvaccinated children
or adults permission to associate with the vaccinated population in schools,
churches, playgrounds, etc.? In other words, do
vaccinated persons have rights of self-protection on this issue too?
4)
Is the argument that vaccines contain materials
alien to the human body a logically valid reason to decline? Then what about
the acetylsalicylic acid in Aspirin, I wonder? What about life-saving insulin
harvested from pigs? What about the monosodium glutamate and other additives in
processed foods? Don’t we ingest, inhale substances daily that are “alien to
the human body?” Smoke, soot, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, methane are
just a few of the foreign substances in the air we breathe. Don’t consumed-substances effects provide
the reason to decline or participate in the ingestion of any and all
substances?
5)
Why is there a social-media campaign against application of vaccines? Does the
exercise of anti-vaxxers right to choose require that everyone buy into that
viewpoint if possible, or is the campaign simply meant to ensure that the choice
to vaccinate or not be left open?
6) Evidence of the effectiveness of vaccines in combating communicable disease is absolutely clear and proven. Does the anti-vaxxing lobby have equally convincing evidence that not-vaccinating has positive outcomes and prevents negative outcomes, and if so, what are those outcomes and what is that evidence? (Click Here for information.)
I wonder about these issues and have never had an
opportunity to discuss the questions in a friendly, unbiased conversation. I
invite people to respond to the questions, all of which come from a biased
person (me) who presently considers forgoing vaccinations against communicable
illness a big, big mistake.
As we
have heard repeatedly, Covid 19 vaccines are being tested; vaccinating or not
may soon become a very real and immediate issue.
But I’m
listening, and given logical and supported answers, am prepared to change my
mind, as—I would hope—we all are.
