Me, You, our Kids and Vaccines

 

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.