Question

Our plan does not include philosophical exemptions because we agree with the negative that it is dangerous for the rest of society if people are permitted to not vaccinate their children just because they read a news story one day that the vaccinations cause autism. The negative of course understands the benefits to immunization. We think that this would create a slippery slope if uneducated people who don't really have any serious issues with vaccinations but just think they would prefer not to, think they have the cushion of herd immunity to protect their children and themselves. We are, however, arguing to maintain the current law in New York and in 47 other states that permits religious exemption to vaccination mandates because it is not only a small enough group of people that it will not effect the rest of society, it is also their constitutional right to be able to practice their religion the way they choose.

Answer 1

The discussion focuses on the ethics of providing philosophical and religious exemptions to vaccination requirements, considering their potential to compromise herd immunity and public health. The medical consensus is that vaccines are critical in preventing disease outbreaks and are not linked to autism. States with strict vaccination laws have successfully prevented disease outbreaks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the ethical considerations about philosophical and religious exemptions for child vaccinations, and whether individuals should rely on herd immunity. It is clear that vaccinations play a crucial role in public health by preventing infectious diseases such as measles and whooping cough. While some believe that vaccines may be harmful, this is a misconception as the scientific consensus maintains that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism. However, for public health safety, a high vaccination rate must be maintained to ensure herd immunity, which protects those who cannot be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons.

While some states allow for religious exemptions, maintaining these exemptions assumes a level of responsibility that the unvaccinated individuals will not significantly compromise herd immunity. Philosophical exemptions may present a broader risk to public health as they can lead to higher numbers of unvaccinated individuals. Health-care providers play an important role in educating parents about the benefits of vaccination and addressing misconceptions. Strict vaccination laws have been effective in states like West Virginia and Mississippi, which have not reported measles cases since the early 1990s due to such measures.