The decline of most diseases has been ongoing for a little more than 100 years. With increased access to proper diet, clean water and improved sanitation methods, many diseases were already on the decline when mass vaccination was instituted in the 1950s. If you eat properly, have access to clean water and sanitation and have a healthy immune system, most diseases are easily treatable and survivable in today’s world.
The reason my wife and I have become “experts” is because our doctor thinks that my son might have caught whooping cough. Although we are becoming more skeptical. BTW, my son was immunized which is why we are now becoming skeptical. However, as mentioned before, immunization is not foolproof.
Here is my point: if my son did catch it, then he caught it from another kid whose parents opted out of the immunization requirements. My son hasn't been terribly sick but he does have asthma which complicates things.
Important: So those parents risked MY SON'S health and well being.
How about this: if parents do opt out, then how about letting the other parents and school officials know. That way, we can be “careful” around their kids.
Hey, I am all for Libertarianism and free choice.... “as long as what you do doesn't affect me.”
The operative word there is “most”. But the ones that don’t fit in that “most” category need to be vaccinated against, measles and polio being the two biggies since they have can have crippling side effects even when survived.
Another consideration is treatment costs vs. immunization costs. Immunization is cheap insurance.