Mandatory Vaccines: Measles, Mumps, Rubella...and Swine Flu?

It's back to school season, and if you have school-age children, you might be used to ensuring that your kids have the vaccines necessary for school. Commonly required vaccines include shots for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and polio, but how would you feel if you had to add one more to this list? There is intense debate between politicians and the medical community right now as to whether the vaccine for the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) should be forced on individuals.

The Department of Health and Human Services hopes to vaccinate 160,000,000 people by this December. The vaccine was introduced for testing to adults and children in August and they hope to release the drug by mid-October. Many individuals raise issue with the vaccine, arguing that a few months cannot be long enough to truly determine the long-term effects of the vaccine.

There are also concerns about the ingredients and side effects. Thimerosol is a component of the vaccine. Thimerosal contains mercury and it's use has been linked to autism in children, among other neurodevelopmental disorders. The FDA's website even warns, "because of these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has worked with, and continues to work with, vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines."

There are also mixed opinions about the correlation between the H1N1 vaccine (both the vaccine being tested today and the vaccine used during the 1976 swine flu) and Guillain-Barre syndrome. There is much debate about whether the syndrome is a result of the flu itself or of the vaccine. Until there is conclusive evidence, the debate and concerns will continue.

It should be noted that there are no constitutional authorities that permit the government to force vaccinations on competent adults. The populations likely to face compelled vaccination are deployed military personnel, health care workers, and grade school and day care students.

I am not advocating for either argument. I certainly would not consider myself educated enough about this issue to make a case for or against mandatory vaccination. Instead, I think individuals should arm themselves with as much information as possible surrounding the issue and make the decision that is right for you and your family.

By Amanda Bashore, CFP(r)
arbashore@taaginc.com