There is a debate that has been rumbling on for a while in the background.

Should kids be vaccinated for Measles, Mumps and Rubella?

The debate has got somewhat overheated in spots and I have even seen one commentator [who I highly respect normally, but no names – no pack drill] suggest that all those who refuse the vaccination should be moved to the back end of beyond where they can't infect the rest of the world.

My views are quite simple.  Parents should be given the full facts and left to decide for themselves.

Unfortunately, it isn't that simple.

I have an ingrained distrust of Big Pharma.  I also have a major problem with the insertion of any substance into my bloodstream when I don't know exactly what is in that substance. 

It is difficult to reach my age without having come across a prescription for pills and potions at some stage on the way.  I grant that the majority of those pills and potions had the required results but on occasion I have had major problems with side effects.  For example, I am taking regular medication now for a problem that was directly caused by another prescription which I have long since ceased taking.  I know of another example where a medication very nearly caused severe [and permanent] paralysis of the legs.  Fortunately in that case the prescription was withdrawn but only on the insistence of the victim.  Big Pharma plays down the latter side effect but a quick search on-line will produce hundreds of cases where permanent damage has been done.  [just do a search for "statins" and "Peripheral neuropathy"]

We just don't know what effect these foreign bodies will have on our system.  Big Pharma bleats on about the wonderful benefits of their produce but they naturally try to hide the nasties.  There are enormous profits to be made from medication and naturally they don't want to damage sales.   Unfortunately Big Pharma is in the business of making profits and not, as they claim for benefiting the public, so I have an innate distrust of anything they claim.

Even assuming that the vaccinations are 100% beneficial with no side effects whatsoever, there is still the principle that no one should have the right to force someone to inject any foreign substance.  I object strenuously to the fact that I am forced to ingest fluoride and chlorine in my drinking water and I would equally resent the idea that I should be forced to inject something against my will.

Parents should be given the facts – and I mean all the facts – and then left to decide for themselves whether vaccinations are for them and their children.

Personally speaking, the welfare of my child is far more important to me than "the common good".