Poll: Require student vaccinations

California is facing one of the worst outbreaks of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in recent history, and Sonoma County is leading the state in the number of cases recorded.|

California is facing one of the worst outbreaks of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in recent history, and Sonoma County is leading the state in the number of cases recorded. A recent state law aimed at quelling the outbreak requires parents to have their seventh-grader vaccinated against the disease, but parents are allowed to sign exemption forms if they have a religious or moral objection to vaccines. In an unofficial online poll, a majority of respondents said the state should not allow exemptions for students in public schools.

Here were some of the comments:

“Parents do not have the right to put the rest of us at risk. By not vaccinating their children, they’re risking their kids’ lives, other kids’ lives, and the lives of the elderly and medically compromised.”

­--

“The state should have no say in the matter. If someone wants to risk it, that is on them.”

­--

“Vaccines have eliminated diseases that used to kill people, polio and smallpox, for example. Why in the world would we want to eliminate vaccinations?”

­--

“Yes, but we need to make sure all children have affordable access.”

­--

“It’s pretty simple: no one has the right to put other children in danger, so either vaccinate or home school. That should be the law.”

­--

“If a parent decides not to vaccinate their child, then they are putting others at risk. Schools should absolutely require vaccination. If a parent chooses not to do so, he/she is welcome to home school their child/children.”

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.