This debate is now closed.
Should the MMR jab be compulsory?
A former chairman of the British Medical Association is calling for the MMR vaccine to be made compulsory. Do you agree?
Sir Sandy Macara says children should not be able to go to school unless they have had the vaccination. He has submitted a motion for debate at the annual BMA conference later this month.
The number of children being given the vaccine plummeted after research wrongly linked it to an increased risk of autism.
As a result there have been measles outbreaks across the country and raised fears it could lead to an epidemic.
Will an ultimatum work? Should parents be given a choice over the MMR? Would enforcement put to rest the recent worries over the vaccination’s side effects?
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Published:
Wednesday, 3 June, 2009, 08:30 GMT
09:30 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:28 GMT
11:28 UK
"Measles: A once common disease of childhood, measles is a viral infection that causes fever and a characteristic rash. The disease itself is not usually serious, but a child with measles typically feels very unwell. There is also a slight possibility of serious complications, especially in children with chronic heart or lung disease or in those who have a depressed immune system."
So says the British Medical Association. Not the life-threatening horror that some people claim, then!
Rachel R, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:28 GMT
11:28 UK
What next, compulsary ID implants?
More info on what exactly is in the vaccine would be helpfull.
Education is not free, it is paid for via taxes.
Albert Conroy
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:26 GMT
11:26 UK
"My son, who did not have the measles vaccine (he had the other two) caught measles at school from a pupil in his class who HAD had the MMR jab and had nevertheless contracted the disease!
Ellen D"
If your son had had the triple, then HE wouldn't have caught measles, then.
YOU decided not to immunise him, YOU caused the problem.
Mark, Exeter
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:25 GMT
11:25 UK
"Are you prepared to pay for my nephew's health care when he's infected by your children?
Mark, Exeter"
But your children will have been vaccinated won't they?
[Wilbirion], Warwick, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:22 GMT
11:22 UK
If this jab was made compulsory then does it set a precedent for future immunisations to be compulsory in the future?
Should we allow ourselves or our children to be forced to accept any future injections or treatment if we have concerns?
I know that the media are very good at stirring up peoples' emotions and there has been a lot of incorrect information flying around, but personally I am concerned over any precedent that may be set in this particular case.
Perhaps someone can reassure me.
DeafBanana, Oakwell
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:19 GMT
11:19 UK
Why is this so hard for some people to grasp?
If you do not have your child vaccinated, you put us all at risk of dying from dangerous diseases
If insufficient numbers are vaccinated, then the diseases can take hold - just as they used to - & sweep across the country killing hundreds of people - mainly children- a year. If you are not having you child vaccinated - then you are personally responsible for increasing the chances of this happening
There - did you understand it this time?
Mike Poole, Kent, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:17 GMT
11:17 UK
"Once immunised, why would you worry whether the other kids been done? If the MMR is effective then you're child will be immune - right?
[PacificRising]"
Wrong.
The infection is alive and therefore it can mutate.
Leaving a pool of people to live in to mutate means that at some point it will change to a form that looks different enough that the measles vaccine in use will not prime the natural defences of the vaccinated to kill the infection.
Mark, Exeter
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:16 GMT
11:16 UK
As a child I was not vaccinated against measles, as an adult I spent 5 years studying immunology and measles infection; I was so impressed by the science supporting MMR and shocked by the deadly nature of measles that I chose to be vaccinated with MMR.
The safety of MMR has been researched beyond doubt. I was glad to get MMR and glad it was there to vaccinate my children with. Please remember measles, mumps and rubella can kill and destroy lives, MMR safely prevents this.
Dr of Immunology, Belfast
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:15 GMT
11:15 UK
Whats next?
Can't be treated at hospital because you are a smoker/overwight/drove too fast/drank a few beers?
They would be better banning smoking and drinking alcohol completely, and driving cars. Think how many lives (children as well) that could be saved!!!!
joppie joppie, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:12 GMT
11:12 UK
This is a public health issue and not just one of personal choice. The MMR vaccine is not given at birth and babies and young children remain vulnerable until they are fully immunised. If one of my babies had contracted measles because others had not bothered to immunise their children, I would be furious. We are in a war against disease and we must all face our responsibilities and not rely on other people being immunised to make our children safe.
Michelle, Windermere
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:11 GMT
11:11 UK
No!
What a nanny twe have become. people used to catch these diseases in the past (myself included) and came through it. If it's available and people want their children to have it. Fair enough. Their choice. To force people's children to have it..nope absolutely not
joppie joppie, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:11 GMT
11:11 UK
I haven't immunised my kids as I saw a lecture (and subsequently read much) which cast doubt on the safety and efficacy ofimmunizations. I understand a parent's fear as I experience it myself. I'd urge anyone to investigate the conflicting views and check the statistics before they start forcing treatment onto children I cannot immunize my kids until I have confidence in the outcome. Very few people question the medical establishment, (I trust doctors a great deal), but on this I can't commit
Dan Williamson, Bristol
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:08 GMT
11:08 UK
No, absolutely not. And neither should we have mass medication by fluoridation of our water supply. We should retain the choice of whether or not to dose ourselves with anything potentially harmful.
My son, who did not have the measles vaccine (he had the other two) caught measles at school from a pupil in his class who HAD had the MMR jab and had nevertheless contracted the disease!
Ellen D, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:05 GMT
11:05 UK
Absolutely MMR should be compulsory. Any parent who fails to immunise and whose child then infects another should be sued to bankruptcy especially if the victim dies or is permanently damaged.
[vampire3109]
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Added:
Thursday, 4 June, 2009, 10:05 GMT
11:05 UK
The laws in the US vary state to state but there are normally exemptions allowed for religious and/or medical grounds though, this does then affect how your child is treated. Your choice cannot be allowed to endanger other children so your child would be kept home more often during potential outbreaks.
You have a right not to get your child the jab but your child then does not have an automatic right to participate in all the activities in which other, fully-immunized children are allowed.
Jennifer Rome, London, United Kingdom
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DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 1386
Published comments: 1275
Rejected comments: 111
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