Sort of both.
There are diseases I do not worry about that people vax for. There are vaxes I do not think are particulalry effective. There are vaxes I think are misused (mistimed usually) and lastly, there are vaxes I am glad are somewhat effective and have lowered the chances of my children getting the disease through "herd immunity". This last one only applies to one or 2 diseases.
I do not feel any guilt about the last one. The reasons I do not vaccinate are stronger than the small pro of herd immunity to certain diseases.
I would be hunky-dorry if everyone chose not to vax or vax selectively. I truly doubt the death rate in Canada would rise exponentially, and it might save some children from vax damage and other things we suspect might be related to vaccinations.
I also think, in the final analysis, parents have to do what is best for their own kids. I imagine parents who vax do so because they believe it is the best thing for their child. I doubt they are thinking about herd mentality. Indeed, I would be slightly horrified if someone vaccinated their child to increase "herd immunity".
Herd immunity is a public health discussion. It is not a parental discussion, because of course parents are going to do what is in the best interest of their child.
Edited by purslaine - 1/12/11 at 6:24am
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