Jail Time for Not Vaccinating??
This is freaking disturbing. State officials are threatening parents with JAIL TIME for not vaccinating their children for chicken pox?? I am utterly appalled… and rather angry! I sure hope this doesn’t catch on in other states… and that it gets thrown out in Maryland. It just makes me very sad, and very worried what’s going to happen in the future.
The MSNBC article just makes me freaking angry. “Protecting the public health” – that term, that concept, just does not sit well with me. Parents are being forced to do what’s best for the “herd” over what THEY think is best for their child. I really really don’t like government interference except in extreme cases. Chicken pox is NOT a good enough reason for this crap. I also love how the article says that people need to either get an exemption or get immunized – which WOULD make sense, if exemptions were actually available to everyone. They left out the part where they don’t allow any sort of philosophical/personal belief exemption, so a lot of people who WOULD make that “simple choice” and are NOT “sitting on the fence” CAN’T. It’s like saying, “You have to choose either A or B. But you can’t choose B.” And then claiming you gave them a choice. WTF?
Ugh I’m just so ticked off now.
Those who choose not to vaccinate are depending on the “herd” to be vaccinated. If the “herd” had its shots, then they don’t have to because the “herd” probably won’t be passing the disease around. Vaccinations do more good for everyone if everyone is vaccinated. Just my opinion.
Well not everyone sees it that way… there are a lot of people who think everyone would be better off without being vaccinated… they are NOT counting on the herd immunity. Such as the current state with chicken pox. Those who don’t vaccinate are actively LOOKING for people carrying the virus, and the herd immunity is actually a major detriment.
Whether or not they say it out loud, they are relying on herd immunity for every other disease. And why in the world would any good parent want to expose their child to a disease that will make their child suffer? The vaccine wasn’t available for my oldest kids and chicken pox was hell. How do you stop a little kid from scratching? Chicken pox can lead to serious scarring and is miserable. AND it having chicken pox in full-blown disease form does NOT mean you will be immune forever. I think the same is true for the vaccine, but I would much rather have my child have an extra shot then an extra few weeks of misery.
I simply must stop reading this trainwreck.
I’m sorry, that came out wrong. I meant the argument itself, not the blog. Because the whole issue drives me crazy. Pardon me.
K&M – Whether or not I believe in the use of vaccines, whether or not I choose to get my kids vaccinated (and we probably will, just fyi), I believe in a parent’s right to choose. If you’re really interested, read the Vaccine Awakenings blog and look up not vaccinating… like I said, there are honestly a lot of people who do not think the herd immunity is a good or necessary thing. The key point is that YOU would choose your kids to have an extra shot. That’s your choice, and I fully support your decision to make it. I do not want that choice to be taken away from us as parents.
Chris – lol I understand.