Should I vaccinate my child to protect other people?

Supporters of vaccination say that vaccinating your child helps protect others who might be particularly vulnerable to these life-threatening diseases, such as grandparents, infant siblings, pregnant women, or children and adults who suffer from disorders that compromise their defenses against disease or who are undergoing immune-suppressing therapies.

Vaccination critics say that people who are vulnerable need to take preventive measures against contracting diseases. And disease risk has gone down substantially as many others are getting vaccinated. Your child need not bear the responsibility for other people's health by being vaccinated.

If you're concerned about the health of other people, your choice is clear; if you're concerned solely for the health of your child, your choice may be more difficult. However, since our society recognizes its responsibility to protect all children, laws and regulations may exclude unvaccinated children from public programs such as schools, day care, and camps.