Conscientious Objection to Vaccination: Talking with Your Doctor
by Parents who do not vaccinate to schedule usually require either a medical, religious or “conscientious objector” exemption. This article illustrates the kind of conversation to expect when discussing conscientious objection to vaccination with a general practitioner.
There are many reasons why parents might decline, delay or choose selective vaccination. Common reasons include philosophical—or ‘conscientious’—objection, religious reasons (some vaccines include aborted fetal tissue), or because of contraindications to known autoimmune issues or allergies in their children.
Whatever the reasons, parents who do not vaccinate in line with the government schedule routinely require either an exemption authorised by a health professional—usually a general practitioner. Exemptions may be required before children can be registered in pre-schools and primary schools. Exemptions are sometimes a pre-requisite to accessing certain government benefits, such as child care rebates. It is also important to note that exemptions are typically required for each child. One exemption won’t suffice for an entire family.
I have written separately on why I personally chose to go against the grain on vaccination for my children. In short, I have not vaccinated either my infant or pre-schooler, so far. However, I would not describe myself as a ‘conscientious objector’. Rather, I advocate the precautionary principle regarding vaccination. For me, there is a direct correlation between the depth of the knowledge gaps about vaccination and my willingness to volunteer my children to potentially be collateral damage.
I understand that serious diseases do exist and there are many circumstances where a vaccination could be life-saving or prevent lifelong disability. Therefore, I engage in a constant, organic process of re-evaluating the risks of each vaccine-associated disease and the effectiveness and risks and benefits of vaccines given our specific demographic profile.
Since there currently does not exist a ‘precautionary principle’ exemption, I am required to claim a conscientious objection for each of my children. This is always an interesting exercise. It requires an ‘informed discussion’ between parent and the general practitioner. The doctor is legally required to ‘explain the risks and benefits of immunisation’ as well as ‘the dangers if a child is not immunised’.
Most general practitioners are not experts on vaccination—rather, they are required to know the clinical guidelines on vaccination and follow them. Further, they are in the business of disease. Chances are, they have seen patients with one or other of the vaccine-associated diseases, or at least have seen footage or outcomes of patients on the downside of the complications continuum.
Liked it
