Vaccinations and Inquiring Pediatricians
Posted on Wednesday July 26, 2006 at 1:07pm.
My son had his four-year doctor visit today. He got his second MMR shot. I know there is some controversy over vaccinations--some people fear they can cause autism, and others object that because schools and camps require them, there isn't freedom of choice. The autism argument doesn't seem very strong. And on the freedom of choice count, I suppose there's some coercion involved, though it is debatable whether getting the measles is merely a matter of personal freedom. Unlike so many behaviors and conditions improperly categorized as "public health," like obesity, preventing an infectious disease that can kill or really harm other people is not simply a personal matter. Which is not to say the government doesn't ever overreach, or that parents should not have any choices, or that it can't be argued that most people would continue to get vaccinations even if they were not required to by any government school or law. In any case, if I send my child to school or camp, I expect that other kids won't be spreading the plague while he's there. This isn't an ideological issue for me--principles and philosophy are important, but as a parent I'm not trying to make a stand against or support government intrusion when I have my child vaccinated. I'm just trying to keep him from getting the measles.
Of more concern to some might be that at the exam, our pediatrician asked my son whether he wears a helmet when riding his bike and whether he sits in a car seat when riding in the car. The answer to the former is "yes," now that he's riding a taller bike and a fall could really cause harm. The answer was "no" (despite what the law or the nannies might say), when he was only riding a tricycle and his head was not even as high off the ground as it would be when he was walking or running. The answer to the latter is "of course." My son uses a seatbelt and appropriate car seat, not because of the laws of the government, but because of the laws of physics.
To the extent that our doctor was just doing his job--giving parents reminders about how to keep their children healthy and safe--I have no objection. However, though I am not as paranoid as some out there in the blogosphere, the potential for this sort of questioning to get out of hand--in the long run--is something those looking for slippery slopes might want to think about.
Of more concern to some might be that at the exam, our pediatrician asked my son whether he wears a helmet when riding his bike and whether he sits in a car seat when riding in the car. The answer to the former is "yes," now that he's riding a taller bike and a fall could really cause harm. The answer was "no" (despite what the law or the nannies might say), when he was only riding a tricycle and his head was not even as high off the ground as it would be when he was walking or running. The answer to the latter is "of course." My son uses a seatbelt and appropriate car seat, not because of the laws of the government, but because of the laws of physics.
To the extent that our doctor was just doing his job--giving parents reminders about how to keep their children healthy and safe--I have no objection. However, though I am not as paranoid as some out there in the blogosphere, the potential for this sort of questioning to get out of hand--in the long run--is something those looking for slippery slopes might want to think about.