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gr8blessings (6/24/2008)
Could it be that the school board didn't tell her that she needed a letter to be exempt from the immunizations? There is a lot of pressure to vaccinate from public health officials, and some will use the school argument to "force" the parents to vaccinate. I think that approach is disgusting because we all have the right to choose. Also, I've heard some parents that didn't want to vaccinate but did so anyway because the hassle of getting the letter was not worth the fight. They then say that the school board "forced" them to vaccinate so the children could be admitted.
gr8blessingsThat may have been the case but they told her get their shots or no school.
♥♥♥Married August 26, 2006♥♥♥
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jbuckle (6/24/2008)
fascha (6/24/2008)
Personally though if there were an outbreak of something at a school I would keep my son or daughter home regardless since vaccines are not synonymous with immunization. It bothers me that they are used interchangeably as the efficacy of each vaccine is debatable period.This isn't really going to work as the incubation periods can be prior to symptoms showing. Your child could still contract the disease even if you decide to keep them home. Personally, I think it's irresponsible not to vaccinate. JMO... and I still thought long and hard about it too... I agree.
♥♥♥Married August 26, 2006♥♥♥
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BeeBear (6/24/2008)
MrsZator (6/24/2008)
BeeBear (6/24/2008)
[quote] MrsZator (6/24/2008)
I am all for... Tommy is up to date with them all. FYI - You can't inrole your kids in school without the basic ones.[/quote] I don't think that's true......this has been discussed many times before and if I recall correctly, you DO have a choice. Anyone with the facts? I just don't think that statement is accurate for some reason.  I know for a fact. My sister has 4 kids ages 4,3,2, and 8 monts. None were up to date with their shots. 1 of the 3 is in daycare and the 1 is in daycare and kindergarden (both this yr) and were not alloud in either without the mandatory shots, the basic 2,4,6,12,15 month shots. Daycare isn't part of the public educational system, therefore, they may make the choice not to admit children into their daycare, but, you cannot force a parent to vaccinate for educational entrance. Perhaps if she looked further into it she would be aware of her constitutional rights not to vaccinate. Plus, daycare and the school system are two totally different areas. I just don't think that's a plausible arguement. ETA: the whole point I'm trying to make is that if I choose not to vaccinate my child, it doesn't mean that they don't have the right to be educated. Being that there's forms available to be filled out by those that opt not to vaccinate proves right there that it's not mandatory. I can also see how it would violate a constitutional right if I were told that I MUST vaccinate. This is apparantely a free country and with that comes my right as a parent to choose and saying that my children will not be admitted into the educational system without it is a violation of my right to choose.
BeeBear and gr8blessings make the point that it is a constitional right whether or not to vaccinate a child.
While that may be the case, you may also want to think of the "bigger picture"...
It is true that vaccinations are not mandatory. However, I believe the biggest reason for the "push" towards vaccination may be based on the theory of "herd immunity" (also referred to as "community immunity"). Basically, herd immunity proposes that when a certain percentage of individuals in a group are immunized, then this provides immunization toward the (very small) percentage of indivuals who are not immunized AND towards those individuals for whom the vaccination did not work. Thus over time, as more people are immunized, more individuals can be protected (and some disease may be "erradicated" like polio).
Now "herd immunity" rests not on the belief that vaccinations work, but on their failure rate - if only a handful of people are vaccinated, then there will be a larger portion of people as a whole who are more susceptible to a disease (those unvaccinated vs. those for whom the vaccination did not work). Vaccinating as many people as possible will give a greater chance for immunity for group as a whole.Now if the classroom/school can be thought of as a "herd", then vaccinating as many children as possible would be key to imparting immunity. Of course, the thought is that if people are given a choice, more than not would immunize their child, thus weakening overall "herd immunity". Hence its "requirement".
I hope this makes some sense.
slakie Married my sweetheart June 10th 2006
Mommy to a Cutie born April 25th 2007
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Yes, the herd immunity makes sense...it is the only valid argument against not immunizing since the herd immunity would protect the unvaccinated...however, if everyone thought that way, then it is no longer true. Dr. Tenpenny heavily relies on this argument to support not vaccinating and it drives me nuts. I think it is totally unfair that parents that feel a vaccine is too much of a risk for their child rely on me taking that risk for my child.
Although Slakie has given an excellent explanation of herd immunity, her explanation has opened up the argument "well if vaccines are really that wonderful, why would we have to force people to take them?". I think that with informed consent, including the benefits of herd immunity, the prognosis of the diseases, and low risk of the vaccine would convince most parents to go with the vaccine. Certainly did when vaccines were first introduced, especially since the outcome of the diseases were pretty fresh in people's mind. Like a PP said, we just don't see people dying from or suffering severe complications from these diseases anymore, so it isn't on the radar.
gr8blessings
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We have my DS on a delayed/selective schedule and will not be doing the MMR.
♥ Our Wedding Day: July 26, 2008! ♥ The love of our lives was born November 30th 2007! 9lbs, 7oz!
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| In regards to the comment: Personally, I think it's irresponsible not to vaccinate. JMO... I know you don't mean to be mean (because I've seen your other threads and I know you're nice people), but IMO calling somebody's decision irresponsible is not appropriate. Especially when it's directed at somebody who has clearly done research and is well educated. It's a difference of oppinion/beliefs. I only say this because I was offended by that remark.
Nicole & Keith Bought the house Feb 23, 2007 Became a MRS. March 14, 2008  Cadence "aka Demi" Arrived November 27 2008
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