The choice to vaccinate ourselves and our children is a decision only very, very few people resist. The reality of herd immunity, however, means that a vast majority of people have to be vaccinated in order for the population to be protected. It’s the most vulnerable among us, like newborn babies, the elderly, and people who are too sick to be vaccinated, who are most at risk when people actively choose not to vaccinate.
When planning her daughter’s birthday, one mum was confronted with this dilemma.
In a recent Reddit thread asking doctors to share their experiences of dealing with anti-vaxxers, a mother said she was forced to uninvite a child from her daughter’s birthday party when she discovered the child’s mother had chosen not to vaccinate her.
“After I sent out invites to my kid’s birthday party, I found out one of her friends from dance was unvaccinated,” the mother wrote.
“My daughter’s best friend is in remission from leukaemia and is immunocompromised. An unvaxxed kid could kill her,” she explained.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull talks to Mamamia about anti-vaxxers. Post continues below.
Top Comments
This shows how very little most people know about immunity and vaccination. Either vaccines work and then an unvaccinated kid posts no danger to an unvaccinated child, or vaccinations don't work and then it makes no difference because unvaccinated is not the same as infectuous. Also it is known that vaccinated kids can be infectious without showing symptoms on their own. People, read more books!
You didn't actually read the article, huh?
#1 It is the parent's right to invite or un invite anyone they choose.
#2 Unvaccinated children are a health risk for all children, even vaccinated children that are healthy.
#3 The unvaccinated child is especially a health risk for a child with an immune disorder of any kind, including but not limited to cancer.
#4 The unvaccinated child's mom has no business exposing other children to these illnesses. She needs to be educated on this matter.