In Reply to: You should vaccinate posted by Julie1 on Saturday, 15. January 2011 at 18:13 Bali Time:
The way that non-vaccinators stay fairly safe in developed countries is by relying on the rest of us to take the risk of side effects and vaccinate our own children so that diseases are pretty much wiped out. When enough people don't vaccinate, as has happened in a particular area in NSW, you do get outbreaks of deadly diseases such as whooping cough.
There are children who cannot be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons (as opposed to selfish or conspiracy-theory-related ones), and these children are put at increased risk of serious disease by 'conscientious objectors'. Vaccinating your children, where this is medically advised, is a societal obligation not a personal choice.
Right, got that off my chest!