----- Original Message -----

From: trophyfish2

To: EOHarm@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 1:23 PM

Subject: [EOHarm] Re: May Issue Pediatric Journal - ANGRY YET "free rider"?

...A parent's refusal to immunize his or her child also raises an
important question of justice that has been described as the problem
of "free riders." Parents who refuse immunization on behalf of their
children are, in a sense, free riders who take advantage of the benefit
created by the participation and assumption of immunization risk or
burden by others while refusing to participate in the program
themselves. The decision to refuse to immunize a child is made less
risky because others have created an environment in which herd immunity
will likely keep the unimmunized child safe. These individuals place
family interest ahead of civic responsibility. Although such parents do
reject what many would consider to be a moral duty, coercive measures
to require immunization of a child over parental objections are
justified only in cases in which others are placed at substantial risk
of serious harm by the parental decision.