Compulsory vaccination

[Gigablue]

Do you think that vaccines should be compulsory? This would mean all childhood vaccines, e.g. MMR, DTaP, polio, haemophilus influenzae type B, varicella, etc., as well as vaccines received later in life, e.g. influenza, hepatitis B, meningitis, HPV, etc. Do you think that everyone should be required to get these vaccines, or should parents be able to chose not to get their children vaccinated and should adults be able to chose not to get vaccines themselves? Obviously, people with contraindications for vaccination (allergies, immunosupression, etc.) should not have to get vaccinated, but should people be able to object for philosophical/religious reasons? Do you think that it should be illegal not to get vaccinated?

[Korashk]

I'm against forced vaccination because of the simple fact that its forced. Plus some of the vaccines aren't really necessary or useful. Like flu vaccines, or vaccines for diseases that have been eradicated in the first world, and vaccines that are new and relatively untested.

Plus there's herd immunization which is basically the concept that as long as most members of a population are vaccinated, the vaccine still accomplishes its goal of eliminating an ailment.

[FreeFall]

I think they can object if they have that choice, they'll just have to deal with whatever comes with not being vaccinated. Obviously those with complications differ.
When I went from the east coast to California, I was required to be up to date on my vaccines. I decided I'd be that brat and question the paper. I got enough to convince me to just obey.
I'd not only be putting myself at risk but others as well. People from point A may not have the immunity to resist certain illnesses in point B (this is anywhere in the world) and I'd could get sick and bring what was in point B to point A and possibly infect people who would also infect others. I could be part of the cause of starting an epidemic.
The same goes for coming from point A. I could be carrying something and not even know it if I wasn't vaccinated for it. The people in point B may not have the immunity to resist it, and just like the first scenario people in point B could suffer some.
Basically they gave me the spanish soldiers giving natives small pox and nearly wiping them out explanation.

I won't go so far as to make objecting it illegal though.

[Heavyrain4life]

Ever play Pandemic? We have a reason for forced vaccination. And while certain people may be immune to it, others might not be, and can be infected... Just a thought.

[Professional Russian]

Ever play Pandemic? We have a reason for forced vaccination. And while certain people may be immune to it, others might not be, and can be infected... Just a thought.

you cant base your ideas off a game. its just not right.

[Human]

everyone should have to have a vaccination, if not they're a threat to other people to

[Gigablue]

Plus some of the vaccines aren't really necessary or useful. Like flu vaccines, or vaccines for diseases that have been eradicated in the first world, and vaccines that are new and relatively untested.

The flu kills about half a million people per year, as well as costing hundreds of billions of dollars in lost productivity. The flu vaccine doesn't kill anyone, costs very little to give, and generally doesn't cause many side effects. The danger with not vaccinating against diseases no longer endemic to a region is that they can return easily and potentially spread rapidly. You don't need to vaccinate against completely eradicated diseases i.e. smallpox, but you do need to vaccinate against nearly eradicated diseases e.g. polio.

They don't give out vaccines without testing them extensively in clinical trials first. This means they test safety and efficacy. Obviously, when they first start giving a vaccine, it's less tested than a vaccine that has been given for decades, but every vaccine has to start somewhere.

Plus there's herd immunization which is basically the concept that as long as most members of a population are vaccinated, the vaccine still accomplishes its goal of eliminating an ailment.

Herd immunity is useful to protect people who can't be vaccinated. If everyone relied on it and didn't get vaccinated, it would start to fail. When this happens, there are outbreaks of previously rare diseases.

[darkwoon]

Do you think that vaccines should be compulsory? This would mean all childhood vaccines, e.g. MMR, DTaP, polio, haemophilus influenzae type B, varicella, etc., as well as vaccines received later in life, e.g. influenza, hepatitis B, meningitis, HPV, etc. Do you think that everyone should be required to get these vaccines,
Yes.
but should people be able to object for philosophical/religious reasons?
No. I make a parallel with driving rules: should people be allowed to drive on the left in a country where you normally drive on the right, because of religious/philosophical reasons? Please.

[Telkanis]

I guess I'm for it but last time I was in doctors office and they had six shots lined up I was pretty ready to do anything to get out of it.

[Manjusri]

I don't think getting vaccinated at birth should be an option. You're being born into the us, therefore you should abide by the rules and get your shots, not only for you but for the better of the rest of the people as well.
All it takes is one person to contract a virus, then everything goes to hell.
We have vaccinations for a reason.

[Alliegator]

I think it should be optional really, I know some shots are already. I mean if a person wants to get influenza and risk their life, let them.