3 Takes: Windsor millennials debate vaccine exemptions

Public debate rages over vaccines for children.

In the latest discussions, the Ontario government wants parents to take mandatory education sessions before approving non-medical immunization exemptions for their children.

• Vaccine exemptions for kids would require Ontario parents to first take educational class

Should parents have to sit through these information sessions? A trio of Windsor millennials debated the issue Wednesday on Windsor Morning on CBC Radio.

You can hear their debate in the player below:

Windsor Morning11:193 Takes on vaccine education

The Ontario government is proposing to force education upon parents who don't want their children to be immunized. Is it heavy handed or a necessary measure? Missy Sauro, Sinan Sbahi and Sarah Mushtaq weighed in.

Here's a taste of what Sarah Mushtaq, Missy Sauro and Sinan Sbahi think of the issue.

Sarah

I don't think there are any easy answers to this. At what point should the government step in to ensure group immunity exists?

As for the new regulation, I like it — In theory. It forces parents to make informed decisions about their children's health and the health of other children. But it's that fine line of the government trying to force its narrative on parents.

Sinan 

As much as I'd love to see more parents vaccinating their kids, I don't think forcing them to sit through a lecture will help. The problem isn't that anti-vaxxers are uneducated, it's that they don't trust authority.

Anything coming from their government, regardless of how reasonable, will appear as propaganda to them. I actually commend them for being critical of authority because authority figures aren't always right. 

Missy

I think vaccines should be mandatory for students in a public system. It's the only way herd immunity works to protect those that cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons. It's not fair for these people to be at risk because others are misinformed. 

If parents choose not to vaccinate after they have been informed, then those parents should be responsible for providing education for their children (either at home or in private schools).

Have your say

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