Brady Collins
Vaccination is a highly debated topic, with some parents choosing not to vaccinate their children due to personal beliefs or concerns about vaccine safety. However, it is important to note that vaccines are one of the best ways to protect children from serious and potentially deadly diseases. Vaccines teach the immune system to create antibodies, offering protection that is often lifelong. High vaccination rates also contribute to herd immunity, protecting those who cannot get vaccinated due to medical conditions or age. While rare, vaccines can cause side effects, and parents should consult doctors about any concerns and understand the risks of opting out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination laws | Every state has laws that require children to get certain vaccines before they can go to school or daycare |
| Opting out | Parents may be able to opt their children out of vaccines for medical, religious, or personal reasons |
| Exemption laws | Exemption laws vary from state to state; some states make it easier to avoid vaccines than others |
| Exemption rates and disease outbreaks | States with higher exemption rates have been linked to outbreaks of diseases like measles, mumps, and pertussis (whooping cough) |
| Vaccine safety | Vaccines undergo rigorous safety testing and constant monitoring for side effects; mild side effects like soreness at the injection site are common, but serious side effects are very rare |
| Vaccine benefits | Vaccines teach the immune system to create antibodies, providing protection from serious and potentially deadly diseases; they also benefit the community through "herd immunity," making it harder for diseases to spread to those who cannot be vaccinated |
| Vaccine effectiveness | Vaccines have reduced or eliminated diseases like smallpox, rubella, and measles; high vaccination rates are crucial to preventing the spread of these diseases |
| Risks of non-vaccination | Unvaccinated children are more likely to get sick and spread diseases; they may also be denied attendance at schools or childcare facilities |
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What You'll Learn
Religious and personal belief exemptions
In the United States, every state has laws that require children to receive certain vaccines before they can attend school or daycare. However, parents may be able to opt their children out of vaccines based on religious or personal belief exemptions, in addition to medical exemptions. Vaccine exemption laws vary across states, with some making it easier to avoid vaccines than others.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has affirmed that state religious and conscience exemptions from vaccine mandates must be respected by participating immunization programs and providers in the Vaccines for Children Program (VCP). This program offers reduced-cost, public-purchased vaccines for eligible children. The OCR enforces federal religious nondiscrimination provisions, protecting individuals from discrimination based on the exercise of their religious beliefs or moral convictions.
To obtain a religious exemption, some states require evidence of membership in a religious group with genuine objections to vaccination. For example, Iowa asks parents to attest that "immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief" rather than philosophical, scientific, moral, personal, or medical opposition. On the other hand, many states simply require parents to sign a form stating their religious objections, without specifying a particular religion. Only a few religions, such as Christian Scientists and some faith healing groups, formally object to vaccines.
Personal belief exemptions are also permitted in certain states, allowing parents to opt out of vaccinating their children due to philosophical or moral objections. In most cases, parents must file a one-time or annual form with the school district declaring their opposition to vaccination. While some parents have safety concerns about vaccines, others believe that getting sick naturally strengthens a child's immune system. However, high exemption rates have been linked to outbreaks of diseases like measles, mumps, and pertussis (whooping cough).
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Risks of non-vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your child from serious diseases. Non-vaccination poses several risks, and declining vaccination rates have put thousands of vulnerable children at risk.
Firstly, non-vaccination increases the likelihood of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. Measles, for example, has reached a 33-year high, and there has been a concerning rise in whooping cough cases, with a more than doubled number of cases in 2025 compared to the previous year. These diseases can have severe, and sometimes fatal, consequences.
Secondly, non-vaccination contributes to the spread of infectious diseases within communities. In the context of schools, unvaccinated children can become vectors of disease, infecting others who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or suffering from underlying health conditions. This dynamic can lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hepatitis B, which have historically been required immunizations for schoolchildren in the United States.
Thirdly, non-vaccination can have societal implications, particularly in undermining herd immunity. Herd immunity is achieved when a sufficiently large proportion of the population is vaccinated, providing indirect protection to those who are unvaccinated or unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons. A coverage of 95% is typically required for herd immunity in the case of kindergarten-age children. However, vaccination coverage has dropped to about 92%, falling below the threshold for herd immunity. This decline in coverage increases the risk of disease transmission and outbreaks within communities.
Finally, non-vaccination can result from misinformation, distrust in authorities, and the erosion of trust in public health agencies. The spread of misinformation, often fueled by social media and institutional failures, has contributed to vaccine hesitancy and skepticism. Regaining trust and addressing misinformation are critical challenges that must be addressed through humility, transparency, and collaboration with local communities.
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Safety and side effects
Vaccines are generally considered safe for children, with side effects ranging from mild to severe but rare. The American Academy of Pediatrics "strongly recommends immunizations as the safest and most cost-effective way of preventing disease, disability, and death." Vaccines work by introducing a small amount of a virus or bacteria into the body, which then teaches the immune system to recognize and respond to the pathogen. This process creates antibodies, which help fight off infection. While some parents may have concerns about vaccine safety, the science behind vaccines is clear and well-studied.
Systematic reviews of published research on vaccine safety have consistently found that negative side effects from vaccines are rare. Serious side effects, such as severe allergic reactions, other serious injuries, or death, are possible but very rare. In the United States, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program allows individuals to file a petition if they believe they have been harmed by a vaccine. Between 2006 and 2017, this program awarded compensation in one out of every one million vaccine doses given, and in nearly 80% of these cases, the HHS did not conclude that the vaccine caused the alleged injury.
Some common mild side effects from vaccines include soreness, redness, or hardness at the injection site, low-grade fever, tiredness, muscle pain, headache, shivering, stomach pain, and nausea. These side effects are typically mild and short-lived, lasting for about 2 to 3 days. More serious but rare side effects include seizures, temporary low platelet count, and, in people with serious immune system problems, an infection that may be life-threatening.
It's important to note that the risk of severe outcomes, including death, from vaccine-preventable diseases is much higher than the risk of serious side effects from the vaccines themselves. For example, about 10-15% of people infected with the meningococcal bacteria will die, and nearly 60% of people with severe tetanus will die. Additionally, high vaccination rates protect people who cannot get vaccinated due to medical conditions or being too young.
Parents should always consult their child's doctor if they have any concerns about vaccine safety or side effects.
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Vaccination laws
Vaccine exemption laws have a significant impact on vaccination rates. States with more accessible exemption processes tend to have higher numbers of unvaccinated children, which can increase the risk of disease outbreaks. For instance, in the first half of 2025, there was a notable measles outbreak in the United States, with 884 confirmed cases and three deaths reported across 30 states. This outbreak was linked to high exemption rates and low vaccination coverage.
While parents have the right to choose whether to vaccinate their children, it is essential to understand the associated risks. Vaccines are designed to protect children from serious and potentially deadly diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and chickenpox. By refusing or delaying vaccinations, children become more susceptible to these diseases and can contribute to their spread within communities. High vaccination rates are crucial in establishing herd immunity, which protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons or young age.
In Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society strongly recommends that all children receive routine vaccinations, annual influenza shots, and COVID-19 vaccines unless medically contraindicated. Unvaccinated children may be asked to stay away from school or childcare settings to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. Additionally, when travelling to other countries, unvaccinated children may face higher risks of infection due to varying vaccination rates and potential exposure to different diseases.
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Benefits of vaccination
While some parents may be concerned about vaccine safety, vaccination is one of the best ways to protect your child from serious and deadly diseases. Vaccines help children avoid serious diseases and teach their immune systems how to fight germs. Children are exposed to thousands of germs daily, and while babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs, they need vaccines to help them fight serious diseases.
Vaccines have reduced or, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that previously injured, killed, or caused severe disabilities in children. For example, the smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide, and polio is another example of the positive impact of vaccines. Polio was once America's most-feared disease, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.
Vaccination also helps prevent the spread of diseases to vulnerable people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have a medical condition. High vaccination rates protect these vulnerable groups. Additionally, vaccines can save your family time and money by preventing your child from contracting a vaccine-preventable disease that could result in prolonged disabilities and financial strain due to lost work time, medical bills, or long-term care.
Furthermore, studies have found positive associations between vaccines and improved cognition and school attainment, suggesting enhanced economic productivity in the long term. Vaccination also helps break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, poor health, and low income by reducing the infectious disease burden in early childhood.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no laws that require children to be vaccinated, it is highly recommended by health professionals. Vaccines help prevent serious and potentially deadly diseases and protect others in your community who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborn babies.
Your child is more likely to get sick and spread diseases to others. They may also be denied attendance at schools or childcare facilities.
Vaccines can save your family time and money. Vaccines also help to prevent the spread of diseases to your friends and loved ones. Immunization also protects future generations.
