As an Adventist I am aware that many of our institutions require vaccinations, our hospitals support it, and church members support it without question. However, I have been doing research in this area and I have found that vaccines can be detrimental to human health especially infants. Can an SDA like myself refuse vaccinations based upon the parameters of the "health message?" Or is the "health message" in harmony with recommended childhood and life-time immunizations?
Moreover, considering the multitude of statements found in the Spirit of Prophecy against dangerous medicines, can vaccines be included in those prohibitions?
I hope we can get some clear thinking on this subject and not the mindless parroting of pharmaceutical industry.
While individuals vary as to matters of conscience, I believe it would be difficult to identify any objection to vaccination as being in harmony as an official "Adventist" position or with the "health message."
In fact, Seventh-day Adventists (SDA's) during WWII volunteered for vaccine testing (to avoid combat/combatancy positions in the military, and in keeping with SDA Conscientious Cooperator position) for such things as tropical diseases. So, the very vaccine you are objecting to, may have resulted from testing on SDA's.
While there are some risks associated with vaccines, I tend to agree with some of the other answers, that vaccinations are not simply for the individual, but for those with whom you come in contact. Accordingly, while you may have the "right" to refuse a vaccination, I do not see a problem with a school prohibiting entrance, or an institution refusing to hire you, as a result of your decision.
Additionally, we live in such a litigious society, that you are not merely putting others at risk health-wise, but financially as well.
I'd rather my kids someday don't get polio, I'll just get them vaccinated if you don't mind. If you want your kids to get measles, polio, rubella, mumps, the flu…hey, that's your bag, not mine.
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You can do whatever you like. If your kids contract polio or win some other Darwin award and die you won't pass on your ignorance gene. It's a win-win situation.
26,000 children world wide under the age of five die every day. Most could be saved with common childhood vaccinations.
References :
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/state-world-children-facts.asp
Shall we return to the days of crippled kids in leg braces due to Polio? I think you need some perspective on the successes of vaccines as a whole.
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As far as I know the Adventist church has no official position on vaccinations. It would be interesting to see mandatory vaccinations challenged in the courts on the basis of being a conscientious objector. You would have to have evidence to back up your claims though. Maybe it could be argued that vaccinating is actually physical assault.
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While individuals vary as to matters of conscience, I believe it would be difficult to identify any objection to vaccination as being in harmony as an official "Adventist" position or with the "health message."
In fact, Seventh-day Adventists (SDA's) during WWII volunteered for vaccine testing (to avoid combat/combatancy positions in the military, and in keeping with SDA Conscientious Cooperator position) for such things as tropical diseases. So, the very vaccine you are objecting to, may have resulted from testing on SDA's.
While there are some risks associated with vaccines, I tend to agree with some of the other answers, that vaccinations are not simply for the individual, but for those with whom you come in contact. Accordingly, while you may have the "right" to refuse a vaccination, I do not see a problem with a school prohibiting entrance, or an institution refusing to hire you, as a result of your decision.
Additionally, we live in such a litigious society, that you are not merely putting others at risk health-wise, but financially as well.
References :
Seventh-day Adventist