Vaccination exemption in CA, personal down, medical up

[FatAndFaithless]

Splashing around in a pond without alligators = not inherently dangerous
Splashing around in a pond known to have alligators = inherently dangerous.

Not vaccinating your kid when there aren't common, dangerous preventable diseases around = not inherently dangerous.
Not vaccinating your kid when there are common, dangerous preventable diseases around = inherently dangerous.


You're right CL, splashing around in "a pond" isn't dangerous, but it is when we know there are alligators around.  And preventable diseases are the alligators in this case.  We know they exist and they infect kids, so not vaccinating them is inherently dangerous, unless you're planning on keeping them in a bubble and away from all human contact.

I'm sure the parents of that boy knew alligators existed. They probably just didn't figure they would be a threat within that situation - in Disney World, at a Resort. Likewise, parents who don't give their kids the polio vax I'm sure just assume polio is not any sort of real threat within their lifestyle and location.

And they're wrong for thinking that.  The numerous childhood diseases for which we have vaccinations are a threat to their children.  It's dangerous to the kid's life (and kids around him/her!) for the parents not to vaccinate.  You can say that's their right, and that's another discussion, but it is inherently dangerous.