Why are some parents/families anti vax?

[Sistersis]

Just read an article about the UK no longer being measles free. Just trying to understand what are the reasons that some people are against vaccination.

Not being cheeky here, geniuenly interested. Sorry if this has been done already.

Also the book ‘Gut’ itself has a very balanced view on this topic.

It's quite low because people vaccinate. That's not a good enough reason to consider not vaccinating.

This is another flaw in the anti vaxxers argument. They benefit from vaccines because those around them are vaccinated - it's as simple as that.

Yes, it's estimated that 90% of unvaccinated people in contact with the virus will get sick.

Ok, but what’s the risk ? X/100

This is another flaw in the anti vaxxers argument. They benefit from vaccines because those around them are vaccinated - it's as simple as that.

I don’t think anybody is denying that, are they?

@thecatinthetwat an fast increasing number & so it will continue. More dc being born with totally preventable disabilities from rubella, long lasting severe disabilities from polio, hearing & visual loss from measles plus the "occasional" death from meningitis caused by the measles (Roald Dahl daughter dies from this), & even more regrettable the people in developing countries who have been influenced by all this rhetoric where dc are dying like Madagascar, adults where no vaccinated as children contracting the diseases from people taking their dc out (previously if your dc had these diseases you kept them in - I can remember this with Measles, chickenpox & whooping cough)

@RebornFlame

Thanks for the explanation. As I posted earlier, it is possible that some people are more susceptible to the effects of vaccines or the diseases. For the most part, we don't really have solid data that allows to predict any.

It's fair that if there are susceptibility issues involved that some people, or families, are more careful about exposure to whatever.

In normal circumstances, such people are protected by the famous herd immunity, if vaccine coverage in the wider population is sufficiently high.

I don't know the specifics about your family, but developing nations/regions tend to have a lower incidence of autoimmune diseases and allergies anyway. It is hypothesised that exposure to more parasites and bugs in general has a beneficial effect.
This could be one of many counfounders that could be at play.

This is why proper case-control or cohort studies should be conducted and not just rely on anecdotal evidence.

Forgot to add:

The problem is when enough "normal" people with no suspected susceptibility issues stop vaccinating as well.

It seems there are some on this thread, gleefully awaiting the time the unvaccinated children catch the disease, in order to serve the parents right.

I was just wondering how likely that actually is. The reality is that it probably isn’t very likely.

Btw, that’s a good thing.

This is why proper case-control or cohort studies should be conducted and not just rely on anecdotal evidence.

Why do you think people do that though lweji?

The reality is that it probably isn’t very likely.

Only because most other people have vaccinated their children.

You're being unfair to pps. I'd think all of us don't want any children to catch any disease. Hence being pro-vaccines.
But we are angry that people who don't vaccinate theirs for no good reason put their own children at risk, as well as those that can't be vaccinated for whatever reason.

If everyone stopped vaccinating, then the risk of catching the disease would increase greatly.
And the more people don't vaccinate, the risk increases too.

So, saying that it's ok not to vaccinate because the risk of catching a disease is low, is akin to saying that it's ok to drive dangerously because all the other drivers will get out of the way.

Why do you think people do that though lweji?

Why don't you tell me?

But we are angry that people who don't vaccinate theirs for no good reason

I don’t really know, but i assume they have got a good reason. Why don’t you?

I don’t really know, but i assume they have got a good reason. Why don’t you?

Such as? That vaccines are evil?

Other than valid medical reasons I've not heard one good reason for not vaccinating.

Other than valid medical reasons I've not heard one good reason for not vaccinating.

Well, people are not willing to discuss it on this thread, which is a shame, because then we might know a bit more about it.

Not there are no other valid reasons. That's the point!!

Look, I’m not anti-vax. But I can think of some descent points that could be discussed on this thread. That benefits us all.

I don’t really know, but i assume they have got a good reason. Why don’t you?

They haven't got a valid reason. That is the point and why anti vaxers are (rightly) vilified.

So, saying that it's ok not to vaccinate because the risk of catching a disease is low, is akin to saying that it's ok to drive dangerously because all the other drivers will get out of the way

Quite.

Such as?

These threads always go this way, it annoys me. So much nonsense and name calling.

Well, people are not willing to discuss it on this thread, which is a shame, because then we might know a bit more about it.

Only one person who was asked did respond about her reasons, which I accepted as fairly reasonable, although it's difficult to evaluate without knowing the family and conducting a proper study.
The other kept banging on about not risking her child for pregnant women, even though it was pointed out to her that she would also be protecting her own children, or her children's relatives.

But I can think of some descent points that could be discussed on this thread. That benefits us all.

By all means, start with one point that is of interest to you.

Why do you start us off then? What valid reasons should we consider?

*don't

The other kept banging on about not risking her child for pregnant women

Didn’t you understand her point though? She wasn’t wearing a tin hat. It was a discussion-worthy point.

Another very discussion-worthy point is the all trials campaign. No-one ever brings that up. Otherwise, well-informed, intelligent people don’t bring that up and that is odd. Why is there zero discussion?

I didn't understand her point at all. There were major flaws in her reasoning.