Whopping Cough, a disease that had been pretty much eradicated from the United States is back, and it is at epidemic proportions in some areas of the country. Those of us who are older than 30 and have seen Whopping Cough virtually disappear are very confused by its return. Why do we need to worry about Whopping cough now? It is a scary illness, especially for the young. At least 18,000 cases have been reported so far for 2012.
According to news reports, bioethicists have an idea. They are blaming it on the refusal of some parents to vaccinate their children. Too many kids are out there now without the protection of vaccines, and the “herd” effect that so many parents have been relying on is breaking down.
The herd effect is the belief that if I don’t vaccinate my children, she will still be protected because you and all of the other parents have vaccinated.
While vaccinations are a requirement to enter schools, all states make it pretty easy to opt out of getting your child vaccinated for religious reasons, and while there are few religions out there that actually against vaccinating, parents sometimes check off this exception anyway. Other states make it even easier, allowing for exceptions for personal beliefs or any reason at all. Two states only allow exemptions for documented medical conditions that would make vaccinating dangerous, such as immune disorders.
The issue is a tough one. On the one hand, parents should be able to make medical decisions for their children. On the other hand, if a parent withholds vaccines from a child and that child dies or becomes seriously disabled as a result of the disease, could the parent be charged with neglect? Making the issue more complicated is the fact that unvaccinated children pose a risk to other members of the community, such as infants who are too young to be vaccinated and immune suppressed adults.
Where do you stand? Let is know on the Families.com Facebook page.
Related Articles: