Is it possible to change someone's mind about vaccination?

[starswirlthebearded]

A family member (A) has a newborn baby and is not planning to have any vaccinations done. Another family member (B) is extremely upset with A because of this, and has asked me to help convince A to get the vaccinations. Personally, I am in favour of them and will get them done for my own children when I have them. However, I'm not sure if it is right to try to change A's mind, especially as A and A's partner are completely against them, believe they are harmful etc. B is worried about the baby getting ill and does not understand A's attitude at all. I am worried this will cause a big family argument. I also think that if I try to talk to A about this I will be told that I don't know anything as I don't have children etc. However, B has children, and A is not listening to B either.

Has anyone here been in either A or B's situation and can give me some advice? Also, are there any websites with good, balanced, easy to understand information?

Richard Halvorsen's book (he is a GP who has a clinic advising on vaccinations) is well balanced.

this situation happens - I am sure my brother does not understand our position re: vaccines, but he does at least respect it is our choice.

I don't think B stands a chance - A and A's partner will have to make up their own minds. The discussion seems very much like a discussion about religion (and I know how my mum through the roof when her sister, freshly converted to a particular denomination, started sending her devotional literature)...

Now, if A were in my family and I then had a baby, A junior and family would not be welcome in my home until C junior would have had her infant shots (which might either totally alienate family A or make them think). Good luck.

It is As baby. B should mine her own.

I think A is totally and utterly wrong but what can you do? Just hope to hell their child come to no harm that would have been preventable. I don't think talking to A will do the least bit of good. Save your breath.

birds - what if A and A's partner smoked around the child, in the car with baby, in the same room, had ashtrays in reach of toddler etc? Would you say something?

I am one of those people who think it is ridiculous, dangerous and ill-informed not to vaccinate your child. However, if I were you I'd butt out, it is their child and therefore their decision. Surely they know the risks.
Try to convince B not to be quite so upset about this because I don't think that whatever B will say will help. A must have a GP whose job it is to inform A about health risks.

B should mind her own business.

A shouldn't have told anyone of her decision.

I am presuming A is of sound mind and doesn't have a low IQ. In which case she and her partner are quite capable of making up their own mind on what to do with their child.

Birds - I am suggesting that B feels as strongly about not vaccinating as someone might feel about not vaccinating and hence they would feel compelled to say something.

d'uh brain freeze - I am suggesting that B feels as strongly about not vaccinating as someone might feel about smoking next to child and hence they would feel compelled to say something.

I think you should stay out of it, tbh. It is not your business or B's business and it is their decision to make.

Just because they disagree with the majority does not mean they are wrong.....