Immunising

In Australia there is a group of parents who choose not to immunise their babies and children. I accept this decision as being right for them, and I will (and often do) defend their right to make these decisions based on what they believe is in the best interests of their children. This is one of the joys of living in a democratic society where freedom of speech and information means that we, as citizens, enjoy the privilege of being able to make such decisions that affect our day to day lives.

I have chosen to immunise my child. I have made this decision based on what I believe is the best interests of my child.

I will not ever, privately or publicly, denigrate those parents who choose not to immunise. I will not try to impose my will on them in an effort to convince them to change their minds. I respect that they have made an informed choice and that it is their right to do so.

Is it too much to ask for the same in return?

Why should I ever be placed in a situation where I am defending my right to choose to have my child immunised? Why should I find myself having to counter the ludicrous suggestion that it is the immunised children of Australia that cause the non-immunised to catch terrible diseases? Why is it that the people who choose not to immunise in the name of freedom of choice do not practice the same levels of tolerance that they demand?

Why do I need to ask these questions in Australia, in 2006, of the same people who, generally, espouse a better and more accepting world for all?