Childhood vaccination.

[Insert name here]

I won't waste time with many details so here's the point. Should it be mandatory for children to receive immunizations? Should the parent be able to make the decision? Or should immunizations not be allowed at all?

[Cirion Spellbinder]

I think it is necessary for children to be protected from every disease they can be. Vaccinations should be required by law and provided for free by the government for those who can not afford them. Failure to comply should be punished with the removal of the child from the hands of the parent to the hands of the state. It should not be the parents right to put their children in harms way when a safe alternative is available.

[brimstoneSalad]

I think it is necessary for children to be protected from every disease they can be. Vaccinations should be required by law and provided for free by the government for those who can not afford them. Failure to comply should be punished with the removal of the child from the hands of the parent to the hands of the state. It should not be the parents right to put their children in harms way when a safe alternative is available.

I agree. Unless a qualified doctor gives an exemption based on a health condition.

[Cirion Spellbinder]

Unless a qualified doctor gives an exemption based on a health condition.

Good point. I should have addressed that.

Why do people think vaccines give humans autism? I've heard this a few times, but it seems so absurd based on my knowledge of what vaccines are: substances used to stimulate the immune system to protect itself against specific diseases.

[brimstoneSalad]

Why do people think vaccines give humans autism? I've heard this a few times, but it seems so absurd based on my knowledge of what vaccines are: substances used to stimulate the immune system to protect itself against specific diseases.

Because a criminal quack who has now lost his license to practice medicine, committed fraud and published a fraudulent study in a peer reviewed journal claiming that.

His name is Andrew Wakefield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield

He is quite possibly the worst human being alive on Earth (remember the thread about the best person?), in terms of consequentialism and the harm he has done.

[Cirion Spellbinder]

Because a criminal quack who has now lost his license to practice medicine, committed fraud and published a fraudulent study in a peer reviewed journal claiming that.

That's awful...

remember the thread about the best person?

For those who have not seen the thread, here it is:
https://theveganatheist.com/forum/viewt ... f=17&t=957

[thetruemasterofgames]

As on just about every issue I am on the fence as there are good and bad yes vaccines protect against many diseases but some newer vaccines due to not being thoroughly tested on humans have a few side effects that are not know on time of release (and no autism is not one of them) But at the same time I think it should be the individuals/parents decision I understand some organizations such as schools to require certain vaccinations due to wanting to cut down on possible spreads of disease I guess what I am trying to say is like just about everything in life vaccines too have good and bad in them ad their use

[Cirion Spellbinder]

But at the same time I think it should be the individuals/parents decision

Why should the parents have the right to put their children's life in danger? Should they also have the right to not feed or clothe them if they do not want to?

I guess what I am trying to say is like just about everything in life vaccines too have good and bad in them ad their use

Sure, but that doesn't really support your stance. In the case of vaccines, the good basically outweighs any bad it may cause by a landslide. You might accidentally kill yourself if you drink water, but having water in your system greatly outweighs the real possibility of death by drinking water.

[thetruemasterofgames]

But at the same time I think it should be the individuals/parents decision

Why should the parents have the right to put their children's life in danger? Should they also have the right to not feed or clothe them if they do not want to?

I guess what I am trying to say is like just about everything in life vaccines too have good and bad in them ad their use

Sure, but that doesn't really support your stance. In the case of vaccines, the good basically outweighs any bad it may cause by a landslide. You might accidentally kill yourself if you drink water, but having water in your system greatly outweighs the real possibility of death by drinking water.

The risk vary depending on the vaccine alot the good outwiegh the bad and it is not the same I have seen no reports of a life threatening sideeffect due to vaccines there have been a few cases in whitch women have become infertile due to the flu vaccine though

[Ravenworks]

So everyone believes the government should have the right to inject your children against your wishes. A little disturbing.

Getting vaccinated is not like getting fed, it's a silly comparison. Putting 100% faith in vaccines means putting 100% percent faith in the body issuing them. To advocate forceful vaccination means you accept the government has your best interests at heart all of the time and forever. I don't trust the government.

Where do you draw the line at what should be mandatory vaccination and what should be optional? If they develop a vaccination for something as harmless as the common cold should that be mandatory too?