Today I read a story on the ABC News website about a judge in Prince George County, Maryland who has ordered parents to either vaccinate their children or face jail time. The school district has gotten stricter about enforcing the vaccination policy. Want to see video coverage of the story? Recently, there has been a lot of news coverage about the possible link between mercury in vaccinations and autism. There is no absolute proof that vaccinations cause autism. The increased occurrence of autism is cited as evidence linking vacations and autism. It is more likely that this increase is due to expanding the definition of autism to include Asperger syndrome and related disorders.While I am not I a parent I do have strong feelings about the vaccination issue. I believe that is important for children to receive vaccinations. The risk associated with vaccinations is minimal. My, dad was a polio survivor and had lifetime effects from the disease. Through vaccinations children are no longer at risks for such life threatening diseases as polio. Back, to the original story of Prince George County, MD. While the school officials are to be commended taking the issue of vaccination seriously. Their methods may not be the best. Sending parents to jail for not vaccinating children may not be the best approach. Wouldn’t it be a better use of public funds to require these parents spend some time in community service at a free health clinic, homeless shelter or other appropriate cause. I have an even better idea have them spend time with a polio survivor.
The Dee Zone 
It’s a tough call. As a parent I sometimes scratch my head at the number of things we now “have to” vaccinate our children against (ie, chicken pox?).
I’m all for protecting our kids against things that could be otherwise avoided, especially when it comes to sicknesses and diseases that are both treatable and potentially fatal.
However, once you start talking about prison for parents who choose not to vaccinate their kids, you really start crossing some parental rights/civil liberties lines.
That’s where I get iffy.
Knowing that when given an inch the government will always take a country mile, it makes me wonder if we’re opening “Pandora’s Box” a little too widely.
What’s next? Flu shots? Vaccines that prevent colds? A chip that makes the child’s medical history, allergies and medications accessible in the event of an emergency?
ShaneBertou
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Shane,
I agree that jail time for not vaccinating kids crosses the line. It seems part of the issue is that the school district decided to to enforce the no-vacine no school. So apparently the kids are not in school or they haven’t been declared homeschooled. There are exceptions to the vaccination rule for schools. It is possible to get an exemption based on religious or medical reasons. However the parents in question have refused to do that.
There should be some consquence for not having complying with the law but jail time is ridiculous. Of course, I’m all for reserving jails for the people who truly deserve to be there.
Maybe if these parents were compelled to spend some time with a polio survior their opinions might change.
DH
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Dee, in most of these cases, the parents were being fined $50.00 per day for the days the children were not vaccinated. They had to appear in court, and the children could be vaccinated there. The parents were NOT just thrown into jail for not having them vaccinated.
Bill
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That is probably true. There are also exemptions to vaccination requirements but they chose not to get one. I focused more on the anti-vaccination movement. I don’t think they should have faced any jail time. I think a better option would be for them to spend some time with a polio survivor.
DH
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Perhaps, it all goes back to an immature parent who does not accept the responsibility of being a parent.
On more than one occasion I have felt that some children could have been spared many problems if a “parentectomy” could have been performed at birth.
Of course, a “parentectomy” is obsurb.
Polly
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Jail is too harsh. Fines make more sense to me.
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Hi Dee,
We were gone for a few days and just got back to look at this post more closely.
I feel it is sad the Government has to use scare tactics to divide us. If people want to put their trust into these vaccines, that is fine with us. But when we choose not to, They put out fear based add campaigns saying “Pertusses is on the rise” or what ever the disease. If your vaccinated what do you have to be afraid of? Unless the vaccines fail to work like in the Mumps outbreak in recent years, who the majority had been vaccinated twice. Or as in this case “According to a report printed by The Lancet (21/9/1991), a polio outbreak began in Oman between the years of 1988 and 1989. This is significant because a polio outbreak occurred despite the children being vaccinated prior to the outbreak. Curiously, the region with the highest attack rate had the highest vaccine coverage, while the region with the lowest attack rate had the lowest vaccine coverage.”
Then no one seems to want to answer about the “aborted fetal tissue” in many vaccines. Why do I have to be a partner to murder by accepting these vaccines without a fight.
As for the other vaccines… It doesn’t seem they can guaranty their safety enough for me to be willing to put them into my children’s veins.
I know you may feel differently, but that is what America is all about (Agreeing to Disagree Peacefully). I would be willing to work with people with polio out of love for them anyways, but would the shoe be on the other foot, for vaccine makers and lobbyist to stay and help parent Children with Autistic problems and such caused by (or multiplied by) vaccinations, especially when to many are given at the same time. I do not say this in an argumenative tone, rather with a heart deep filled with passion. I know we may not change each others minds, but am glad to be friends even so.
~~Blessings~~
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Anne,
Thank you for your presenting the other side of the argument. You raise several good points and provide much to think about.
Currently, I am in favor of vaccinations. However I support your right to choose not vaccinate your children.
DH
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