Heavy fines for those that refuse vaccination in Germany

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40056680

The German government plans to introduce fines of up to €2,500 (£2,178; $2,806) for parents who refuse to get their children vaccinated.

So Australia recently introduced the removal of certain daycare support vouchers and such for the same issue, Germany has decided to go for the straight up fine.

This has been a response to significant increases in outbreaks of diseases in areas of Europe that have fallen below a vaccination threshold. It seems Italian officials may follow with similar policies.

It seems that many modern countries have become complacent with our protection against diseases which almost disappeared from the western world after immunisation. It has taken some serious outbreaks to remind officials how dangerous ignoring herd immunisation could be. Is a fine the correct way to go? IMO no as it punishes the child indirectly by putting the family in a financial hardship.

That said, i dont believe the choice should be in the parents hands at all. Parents feel they should be able to choose whats best for their children but when it comes to medicine, not every parent knows best evidently. It would be unfair to allow children to be endangered by their parents stupidity.

 

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But a government does ?

Governments dont own kids, they protect them. It isnt about 'who gets to choose?' but rather 'whose choice is best?'

Are governments owning your kids because their laws decide whether you are allowed to beat them, starve them and so on?

This case, governments receive recommendation from medical councils and bodies independent from each other. They base their findings on studies and research that is peer reviewed by other professionals.

 

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government introduces fine for people exposing their kids to serious diseases.

and this is contentious how?

Some parents feel that its their right to choose to expose children to serious, infectious diseases. It is an odd world.

 

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I am OK with such things being enforced through a judge who has the ability to review each case on its merits. But I am not OK with a blanket decision that assumes the government knows what's better for the children than their own parents.

The government is not deciding what is best, they are enforcing a law which medical professionals recommend. If a doctor suggests that a child should not be vaccinated, such as in children with immunity issues, then an exception is made. Really the decision is in the hands of the doctors and enforced by the government.

 

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Because the medical profession can never make a mistake (such as Thalidomide, Primodos, Epilim and no doubt a large number of other drugs)? No, it should be a parents decision based on advice from the medical profession, not mandated by the government.

Why should it be the parents to make a decision? It is the child who will be ultimately affected. What about the cases where parents refused real medical treatments in favour for bogus new aged crap like homeopathy, is that their decision?

Surely elected officials referring to a body of peer reviewed medical professionals are far less likely to misstep than a parent that can choose the side of a lone nut medical professional.

These studies are scrutinised by the rest of the medical community, whereas a parent can just simply choose one that has no basis but paranoia.

 

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Oh look a possible link between organic food and Autism. Maybe healthy choices are the leading cause...

 

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or the effect.....

people tend to forget that the awareness and diagnosis of autism has skyrocketed since the early 90's, with people being diagnosed as adults after their children have been found with it.

I have little doubt that increased awareness as well as acknowledgement of high functioning autism is the reason cause for the increased number of diagnose people. Not only has awareness skyrocketed but things such as questionnaires are all over internet which people take and as a result are motivated to take their children for a proper diagnosis.