Should vaccination of children be compulsory?

[Rhiannon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40568017

My feeling is that it should. And I'm s parent that tries to opt out of just about everything that the state wants me to do. This is a no brainer though.

[floo]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40568017

My feeling is that it should. And I'm s parent that tries to opt out of just about everything that the state wants me to do. This is a no brainer though.

When I was a kid vaccination was compulsory in my home island. I think the dangers of not being vaccinated outweigh the risks. It was that unwarranted autism scare that put people off the MMR in the early part of this century. As I have mentioned before, my eldest grandson was the only one of my five grandchildren not to be vaccinated, but the only one who has autism.

[Rhiannon]

It's very hard as a parent to take a happy well child to the doctor and put them through pain and often a period of unwellness (my eldest got a shocking fever with MMR). It goes contrary to our instincts to protect them. It's so important that there is proper information given to parents. I don't think that's well done at the moment. Compulsory vaccination sends a clear message that something is safe.

[floo]

It's very hard as a parent to take a happy well child to the doctor and put them through pain and often a period of unwellness (my eldest got a shocking fever with MMR). It goes contrary to our instincts to protect them. It's so important that there is proper information given to parents. I don't think that's well done at the moment. Compulsory vaccination sends a clear message that something is safe.

Possibly there will be rare cases, where a child has a pre-existing condition, and the risks could outweigh the benefits of vaccination.

[Rhiannon]

Possibly there will be rare cases, where a child has a pre-existing condition, and the risks could outweigh the benefits of vaccination.

Of course it will be contraindicated for some. But compulsory vaccination will ensure herd immunity. In these days if fake news and alternative facts that even the POTUS has fallen for I think we have little option other than compulsion tbh.

[floo]

Of course it will be contraindicated for some. But compulsory vaccination will ensure herd immunity. In these days if fake news and alternative facts that even the POTUS has fallen for I think we have little option other than compulsion tbh.

I agree, but I can't see it happening in the near future, especially as the Government has such a small majority, even if they were minded to make vaccination compulsory.

[Aruntraveller]

I agree, but I can't see it happening in the near future, especially as the Government has such a small majority, even if they were minded to make vaccination compulsory.

I would have thought there would be a majority across parties for this. I can't see it being that much of a problem if the current govt was so-minded. I have no idea whether they are or not.

[floo]

I would have thought there would be a majority across parties for this. I can't see it being that much of a problem if the current govt was so-minded. I have no idea whether they are or not.

I think the parental freedom of choice brigade might not be so happy about it.

[Aruntraveller]

I think the parental freedom of choice brigade might not be so happy about it.

Perhaps. Parental freedom of choice is not an immunization against stupidity however.

[floo]

Perhaps. Parental freedom of choice is not an immunization against stupidity however.

Agreed.

[john]

YES