Vaccinations protect others

With all the discussion and controversy about whether government should pass a law requiring parents to vaccinate their children against childhood diseases, I think a simple analogy might be helpful.

All states have some kind of law regarding driving under the influence of alcohol. Such laws were passed not so much to protect the individual who chooses to drink and drive, but to protect others who may be injured or killed because of the irresponsible actions of the intoxicated driver. Yes, it is an adult’s legal right to drink alcohol, but it is not his or her right to put others at grave risk.

The same can be said about parents choosing to not vaccinate their children. Yes, these parents currently have a legal right to make that choice, but they do not have the right to put others at risk for illness or even death because of that choice.

Michael D. Adams

Spokane