To think that parents who don't vaccinate their children are despicable

[LaBelleSauvage]

Just that. And I think they ought to be sanctioned in some way similar to in Australia. Children shouldn't suffer because of parents' stupidity

This is an interesting thread because I find people rarely express these opinions in real life. There are strong arguments on both sides.
Is it because in real life a lot of people (again , both sides) are so ill -informed that they couldn't hold a face to face debate on the pros/ cons of vaccines in depth? I think it's so strange that people assume that anti -vaxxers get all their advice from some crystal dowsing homeopathic witch doctor. There are plenty of very knowledgeable people that don't vaccinate . Plenty that do. It's a really hard decision as a parent . If you approach all the literature and research with an open mind, you'll find it harder still.

It's a really hard decision as a parent . If you approach all the literature and research with an open mind, you'll find it harder still.

I didn't find it hard.

Oh and people who have the views shown in the first sentence I judge more harshly than those who don't vaccinate by the way. Because I know damn well if it was their kid they wouldn't kill them for the greater good.

But your child is part of that 'greater good.' She can't be vaccinated so needs us to be. As I've posted I have friends with children who for various health reasons, can not be vaccinated. One of those children is also immunosuppressed. The other has disabilities which mean any sort of respiratory illness is potentially life threatening, many of the illnesses commonly vaccinated against are potentially fatal. Vaccination of healthy children is essential to aid the health and safety of children who can not be vaccinated.

habibihabi .

There are plenty of very knowledgeable people that don't vaccinate.

No there aren’t. Not people knowledgeable about vaccines.

What ‘other side’
There is none. Only idiots don’t vaccinate.

bishop your daughter clearly can’t be vaccinated on medical grounds. Anyone suggesting she be sacrificed for the greater good is wicked. No one who isn’t unhinged thinks that way. But it does mean that it’s even more important that everyone who can be vaccinated is.

There are plenty of very knowledgeable people that don't vaccinate . Plenty that do. It's a really hard decision as a parent . If you approach all the literature and research with an open mind, you'll find it harder still.
Nope. Not a difficult decision.
Giving anti vax claims the same weighting as the body of scientific consensus is no different to saying 6 day young earth creationism and the non existence of dinosaurs is as credible as the big bang and both should be treated as equals.

The only reason anti vaxxers are happy to take the risk is because deep down they know herd immunity makes it unlikely that their child would get seriously ill. There is a safety net for their choices.

Thank you .
Much as it is painful to share the story, I keep doing it in the hope it changes someone's mind about vaccinating to avoid harming not only their own children but someone else's.

@Wilfredohoney Im sorry but I completely disagree. It's a very easy decision. For what it's worth, I come from a scientific research background for work + spend much time reading, interpreting and analysing research and data.

I've seen this picture doing the rounds. It's obviously oversimplified but makes a clear point. Yes there is a tiny, tiny risk of vaccine damage but it is far outweighed by the benefit of protecting against the diseases we vaccinate against.

The only reasonable argument against vaccination is there being a medical reason e.g. allergy. Those who genuinely can't be vaccinated will be protected by herd immunity. Everyone is safe. Parents who choose not to vaccinate are potentially putting other people at risk. That's what differentiates this issue from any other parenting decision.

Respecting peoples right not to vaccinate sounds a bit crazy - it affects more than just your family!!!

@mrskeats that's easily said online.
What about If you met a family whose newborn had been severely vaccine damaged. To the point of serious neurological , life changing issues. Would you say they were an idiot to delay vaccines for subsequent children?

@Wilfredohoney

Vaccine damage is awful, noone will argue otherwise. But it is incredibly, incredibly rare. If there was an outbreak of measles, mump, meningitis etc. the devastation would be far greater. Many, many more children (and adults for that matter) would be irreparably harmed.

Would you say they were an idiot to delay vaccines for subsequent children?

Of course not, but they’re yet another example of people herd immunity is needed to protect.

It’s very easy for people to say “oh I don’t believe in vaccines” because you know damn well the majority of people will be vaccinated so you have some sort of safety net.

@kissingintherain
That isn't true.
There are people who have spent their life researching vaccinations, and come to their own conclusions about their safety. These conclusions are not always positive.

Vaccine damage is vanishingly rare.
Measles, however, is making a big comeback. It’s not just about your child; it affects others.

That isn't true.
There are people who have spent their life researching vaccinations, and come to their own conclusions about their safety. These conclusions are not always positive.

Rubbish. If they exist at all - depending on your definition of ‘researching vaccinations’ - the number of such people is negligible.

Vaccine damage and severe allergic reactions may be extremely rare, but it's still valid for those of us who either have life-threatening reactions, have children who have had these reactions or have children who are vaccine damaged, to explore the mindset of those who's language often doesn't differentiate.

To put into perspective exactly how hard of thinking anti-vaxxers are, I was arguing with one on FB (I know! But she was spouting SUCH crap - did you know herd immunity is apparently a myth? ) - anyway, ai asked her to provide support for her arguments and she posted a link to....

the Daily Mail. That was her go-to for rigorous scientific support for her beliefs.

Reader, I gave up.

@HollyGoLoudly1 undoubtedly .
My question was to mrskeats who thinks everyone that doesn't vaccinate Is 'an idiot' .
I just wondered how mrskeats had formed this opinion.

There are people who have spent their life researching vaccinations, and come to their own conclusions about their safety. These conclusions are not always positive.

Are you talking about qualified medical researchers or bloggers? If the former, please provide a citation.

@kissingintherain
It's true.
I'm not an "anti vaxxer"
But based on some personal experiences, it was a very hard decision . I find people who are so dismissive of people that don't vaccinate really ignorant.
People who choose not to vaccinate, are not all fairies and pixies from the Steiner school .
Actually if you attend vaccination debates throughout Europe you'll find scientists with serious concerns on the anti vax side. Indeed I encountered a doctor who became sceptical after thirty years of administering vaccines to children.

Actually if you attend vaccination debates throughout Europe you'll find scientists with serious concerns on the anti vax side

Could you please provide some links to their peer-reviewed research?

A bit of queue discipline if you please Jacques. I asked first for the identity of some of these bloggers scientists and medical researchers.

"if you attend vaccination debates"? LMAO.
Presumably I'd meet the same kind of people I'd meet at an "is the Earth flat?" debate or a "faked moon landings" debate.