Parents Rejecting Dangerous Vaccines

Growing numbers of parents across the United States are refusing to vaccinate their children against common childhood illness. Their refusal is being blamed on an outbreak of measles in California. Twelve children contracted the virus. Nine had not been inoculated because their parents objected, and the other three were too young to be vaccinated.

Public health officials say that children who are not vaccinated face the danger of serious illness. Officials also say they are a danger to children too young to receive the vaccine as well as to those children who have been vaccinated because the vaccines aren’t 100% effective.

States allow exemptions for medical reasons and some also permit exemptions for religious beliefs. But many of the growing number of parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated believe the vaccines are connected to autism and other devastating conditions.

“I do think vaccines help with the public health and helping prevent the occasional fatality,” said Dr. Bob Sears, pediatrician and son of the child-care author by the same name. “I don’t think it is such a critical public health issue that we should force parents into it,” he said. “I don’t lecture the parents or try to change their mind; if they flat out tell me they understand the risks I feel that I should be very respectful of their decision.”