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Questions and AnswersQuestion No.: 18329 Submitted By: CarolLynn Submitted on: March 13, 2008 Subject: What about so-called herd immunity from vaccines? Question: Hi Ralph, I am so frustrated by the representation in the media that parents who don't vaccinate their children are 'getting a free ride'--that we are benefiting because of all the other obedient and socially conscious parents who do vaccinate. I can't make any sense of this argument but am I wrong? Is the herd immunity argument reasonably true...or is it full of holes? If it's not true...how do you refute the claims/accusations made by those supporting herd immunity? Thanks for your help, CarolLynn Dr. Cinque's Answer: It's all just theoretical, CarolLynn, and for some vaccinated diseases, no herd immunity is ever claimed, for instance, tetanus. But, of course, they have to argue for herd immunity, because how else are they going to account for the shocking lack of outbreaks among unvaccinated children? But let's just say, for the sake of argument, that there is some truth to herd immunity. Then as a parent, why then should I not take advantage of the "free ride" for my children? In fact, before I ever heard the term "herd immunity," I used to say to people: "What do I have to fear from going unvaccinated? Who am I going to catch these diseases from when the vast majority of people are vaccinated?" But keep in mind that I am being somewhat facetious because I wouldn't get vaccinated or vaccinate my children even if that were far from true. When you consider the most prevalent disease for which there is a vaccine- the flu- you rarely hear anything about herd immunity in this case. They wouldn't dare claim it. They can hardly claim that the vaccinated people are protected, never mind the unvaccinated. Ralph |
