Vaccine opt-outs pose health risks

The most frustrating thing for a parent is sending your child to school knowing there is a flu epidemic on hand. What can be worse than knowing your child is at risk for disease? Perhaps, knowing that risk can be prevented. It has come to my attention that certain parents are increasingly choosing to opt out of getting their child vaccinated.

Vaccines can help prevent a particular disease. More than 39,000 children under the age of seven are not vaccinated because their parents have taken it upon themselves to deny any immunizations available. This is completely outrageous. I find it hard to understand why these parents fail to listen to the advice of all health care providers as if they think they know best.

These children are essentially being punished for the unwise decision of their naïve parents. Furthermore, the neighbouring children in the community are now being placed at a higher risk even if they are vaccinated. When some refuse vaccinations, immunity breaks down and everyone is more vulnerable.

Vaccine opt-outs put public health at risk. Refusing to get your child vaccinated is a selfish decision. Vaccines should be mandatory, not optional. Personally, my sister, at the age of 6, received a liver transplant. The anti-rejection medication she takes now causes her immune system to be considerably low.

Any children without their vaccinations are an extremely big threat to her, life threatening to be exact. I urge parents to please consider your options carefully.

For any parent that has, or has considered to, refuse vaccinations for their child, take this into consideration, what if another parent did something to endanger your child?

Vaccinations save lives, so can you. Take a stand to be a part of a safer, better public health community. Mariah Wedge, UPEI Student