Hepatitis, Diphtheria, Rubella...Each year millions of children are vaccinated in order to prevent potentially fatal illnesses like these. But should schools be able to mandate vaccines? Some parents see them as vital lifesavers, but others fear serious or perhaps even debilitating risks. How much authority should schools have in determining your child’s health?
In 1991, the CDC concluded that outbreaks of disease can be avoided if 70% to 80% of children are vaccinated. A 1992 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed that vaccination rates of “80% or less” should be sufficient to protect against disease outbreaks. Most parents obediently follow their doctor’s orders and vaccinate their children. In addition, schools rarely publicize legal exemptions to “mandatory” vaccines. Thus, only about 2% of families file waivers to recommended shots. This number could substantially increase without threatening herd immunity.
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