Many state and federal laws compel childhood vaccination based on the theory of herd immunity.
The theory describes a form of indirect protection in which non-immune individuals are protected from those that have acquired a disease and recovered. [“Natural Immunity”]
Promoters of universal vaccination adopted this theory, suggesting that it applies to vaccine-induced immunity as well.
Given contemporary, imperfect vaccine technology and geographical and age-stratified vaccination mandates, herd immunity does not exist and is not attainable [via vaccination].
If safe and effective vaccines are available, most people will voluntarily accept the risks of vaccination rather than the potential risks of serious infectious disease.
The “choice” between fulfilling a child’s vaccination mandates or foregoing her education is scarcely a voluntary choice; it is a coerced choice at best.
Because public health policies have not attained herd immunity for any childhood disease despite sixty years of compulsory policies and intensive effort, it seems both logical and wise to recalculate our policies.
It is time to abandon the illusion of herd immunity through compulsion and to adopt realistic and respectful policies to achieve herd effect based on parents’ informed choices.