Moms Talk Q&A: Child Vaccinations

There has long been a debate on whether parents should be forced to vaccinate their children, with the issue being the side effects of vaccinations versus the potential risk of infecting other children if a child isn't vaccinated.

To understand the impact one un-vaccinated child can have on an entire community, consider this record of an un-vaccinated girl who traveled overseas, contracted the measles and caused the largest outbreak in our nation in 10 years. Also, consider the estimated cost of treating one case of measles.  Or, check out the PBS Frontline movie about the vaccine controversy.

That leads us to our next moms forum question:

Do you think the risks or potential side effects to your child from vaccinations are too great to chance? Is it worth putting other children at risk for disease if you don't vaccinate them?