What can you do about parents who won't vaccinate

[mirandatempest]

I've discovered that three of my friends have not vaccinated their children. I am normally very live and let live but this has really upset and bothered me. I've challenged them all but very gently as I
am useless at confrontation but can these friendships survive? I feel so angry.

I have friends who are anti-vaxx. I appreciate their point of view even though I don't agree with it all.

Honestly, I wouldn't be able to bite my tongue about this. I couldn't be friends with an anti vaxxer!

The obvious exception being people who can't vaccinate for health reasons, but they are the ones who need herd immunity the most

I have friends who are anti-vaxx. I appreciate their point of view even though I don't agree with it all.

I have some friends who are anti Jewish, Islamaphobic and sexist. I appreciate their point of view even though Imdont agree with it at all

Invite them to a measles party And let them build up their naturaL
Immunity

Children should not be allowed to attend school without being vaccinated.

@Sunflowergirl1

Children should not be allowed to attend school without being vaccinated.

It's amazing to me that this isn't required in the UK.

Sunflowergirl1
Children should not be allowed to attend school without being vaccinated. 
It's amazing to me that this isn't required in the UK.

Yes amazing. What is so wrong is that these children of anti vax parents get infections like measles and mumps and give it to more vulnerable kids who have been vaccinated but struggled to raise immunity.

Selfish twats.

@saltandpepper7

First of all I didn’t state that vaccines cause these chronic illnesses, I stated that the general population is sicker than ever to which I was told I was wrong?! I stated facts to prove that we are and just like everyone else on this thread who questions the narrative I’m still told I’m wrong.

Autism is not a sickness, it's a neurodevelopmental condition. Autism itself does not affect overall physical health.

“Autistic individuals are more likely to have chronic physical health conditions, particularly heart, lung, and diabetic conditions, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge. The results are published in the journal Autism.“
medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-autistic-adults-higher-physical-health.html

Don’t speak on topics you’ve never researched yourself or experienced.

It is also not caused by vaccines or modern lifestyles.

Have you ever taken the time to research or read any (and I mean any) literature or studies on the causes of autism?

I can guarantee anyone who believes vaccines are safe and effective either hasn’t taken the time to read or research anything for themselves or decided after a quick google search that of course you can never disagree with the NHS and WHO stating that vaccines are safe. And no I’m not stating that the medical establishment is evil and trying to poison our children but it is true that the only training medical professions are given on vaccines is from the pharmaceutical companies themselves who have a huge annual multi billion profit from the vaccine schedule. You do realise that doctors and medical professions in their 5 years of studies and training take on 18 hours, yes 18 hours of training in vaccines and immunology? And from those 18 hours they are taught only by the pharmaceutical reps themselves? Has anyone who believes they are safe actually read any literature, studies, medical journals, peer reviewed studies to suggest otherwise? I already know the answer to this but would love to hear it from the horses mouth.

I’ve linked some books just in case anyone reading this is actually interested in educating themselves on vaccines.

You didn't link to anything, you just posted a picture of a pile of books you took from google, by anti-vaxx quacks who think you can 'reverse autism' by eating a bit healthier and maybe using some water homoeopathy.

I wonder how much money RFK Jr. makes from peddling anti-vaxx conspiracies?

Children should not be allowed to attend school without being vaccinated. 
It's amazing to me that this isn't required in the UK.

But those who were medically exempt would kick up a fuss.
You'd have to treat everyone the same.

Fascinating. Usually the sane crowd all turn up on a vaccinations thread. This specific thread has called up all the anti-vaxxers out of the woodwork. What's going on?

Or is this COVID-denialism emboldening antivaxxers in a similar way to 'populist' governments emboldening bigots, racists and violent nationalists?

My parents didn’t vaccinate me at all (even for travelling frequently abroad to places like India and malarial hotspots ) it does make me quite angry when I wonder about their reasoning. I actually had an argument about it the other day with my dad as he stands by it and was questioning why I’d taken my DS for his MMR! as others have said, as soon as I went to uni I went and got all the vaccinations I needed and have done ever since (currently pregnant and just got whooping cough done- feels crazy not to and risk my newborn getting ill!?!)

No anti malarials either, to clarify

But those who were medically exempt would kick up a fuss. You'd have to treat everyone the same.

Medical exemptions for vaccine requirements are part of the process in the US. It's a very small number so doesn't affect herd immunity. It's the non medical exemptions that still need to be eliminated or greatly restricted.

In my native country, you need proof of vaccination to enroll in a public (and private) school.

You're perfectly entitled not to vaccinate your children, but they can't attend school.

I think this is perfectly reasonable approach.

Fascinating. Usually the sane crowd all turn up on a vaccinations thread. This specific thread has called up all the anti-vaxxers out of the woodwork. What's going on?

Common sense would say so... Maybe as we aren’t sane we’ve been let out of the asylum for a few days? 🤣

@Devlesko

*Children should not be allowed to attend school without being vaccinated.  It's amazing to me that this isn't required in the UK.*

But those who were medically exempt would kick up a fuss.
You'd have to treat everyone the same.

No you don't. You don't have to treat people who are Immunocompromised the same as people who read on Facebook that vaccines cause autism.

@saltandpepper7

*Fascinating. Usually the sane crowd all turn up on a vaccinations thread. This specific thread has called up all the anti-vaxxers out of the woodwork. What's going on?*

Common sense would say so... Maybe as we aren’t sane we’ve been let out of the asylum for a few days? 🤣

There's a difference between insanity and stupidity.

There's a difference between insanity and stupidity. Sure is.

@june2007

You do nothing. Never mid what you believe or know every one else has their reasons for their choices and it,s not up to you to impose. Yes mine are generally vaccinated. But I am not up to date completely sure I am due a tetnus does that make me a bad person?

I think she’s totally free to challenge their behaviour and have a discussion about it. The irony of it is the self same selfish individuals rely on everyone else to become vaccinated so they don’t get the diseases. Would you really risk Polio or Diptheria or TB if you knew it was highly prevalent ?? It’s not because the vast majority have the vaccinations and protect those that can’t. You’re argument over tetanus is flawed. Tenatus is a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium which you are most likely to pick up from soil and manure getting into a cut or wound caused by a contaminated object. The disease does not spread between people so you’re not a bad person, you are just stupid. Oh and there’s a 10% fatality rate....so suggest you nip out and get vaccinated 🙂

Don’t speak on topics you’ve never researched yourself or experienced

I grew honesty an autistic sibling.

I have two autistic siblings.

Two autistic cousins.

Three autistic nephews/nieces.

I know none of it came from a vaccine and I know about autism.

I grew honesty an autistic sibling.

Should say "I grew up with"

Hmm. Interesting question. I think they’re fruitcakes, but so long as your children are vaccinated it doesn’t adversely affect your family.

Depends how much you like them otherwise, I guess.

I cut contact with the only anti-vaxxer I ever knew but she was very weird in so many other ways (vegan dog, Bill Gates was micro-chipping African children, the moon landing was clearly a stunt and so on).

People like to get really angry and self-righteous about anti-vaxxers - I think they’re kind of an easy target. But how common are theyvactually in this country? I’ve only ever met one in my life and she was Australian. I know I can’t judge society on my social circle but everyone I know - including me - has vaccinated their children.

I know vaccine rates are falling but there a lot of complex factors causing that, it’s not just anti-vaxxers. I just wondered if there are any figures showing the actual prevalence of the anti-vax movement in the UK.

@Gancanny...You proved my point by taking my quote out of context and then saying ‘vaccine damage is real but...’ I know it’s rare. That doesn’t mean it’s not a real risk. Getting a vaccine damage payment means getting someone to take you seriously about the damage to begin with, which isn’t easy, it then has to be proven to not possibly be something else, which is also difficult to do because it’s always possible that it was something else.

Also medication sensitivity is a known issue in autistic people. So it’s quite possible that autistic people react badly to vaccines more than neurotypicals

I have often enjoyed reading Fortean Times, but only as fiction. (Knowing people who have written for it helps no end with remembering that is what it is.) I have however met more than one person who has taken every word in it as gospel truth.