If a parent chooses not to vaccinate their child, should they be held accountable if the child dies of it?

Question

If a child contracts, and dies from, a disease that could have been prevented by an immunization, and the parents had chosen to not vaccinate the child, should the parents be held accountable for that child's death? Why? Why not?

Answer 1

I have certainly heard stories about families either refusing to vaccinate or refusing to seek treatment for their child's illness due to cultural and/or religious beliefs. If memory serves me, I think that some parents who refused to seek treatment for a treatable disease have been held accountable in some way - but since this is off the top of my head, don't quote me on it.

I don't believe that parents should be punished for the death of a child that hasn't been immunized, but I am of the mind that all children should be immunized. I remember getting all of my immunizations at school, and I never once saw any of my classmates have a reaction worse than a sore stomach immediately following the needle.

On a somewhat related note, what about children who spread things like the chicken pox? In my hometown, parents still have "chicken pox parties" - when a classmate or family member gets the chicken pox, parents will invite them over to contaminate their children, so that they 'get it over and done with'. I've heard it's better to contract the chicken pox as a young child, and doing so means there's less of a chance to contract it as shingles in adulthood.

Answer 2

yes because they are disregarding well known child care recommendations.

Answer 3

If your child gets sick and dies, you should not be held accountable.

Should someone be held accountable if their child dies of, say, skin cancer?  Because it "could" be prevented by not taking them outside.

Not getting your child immunized is NOT illegal.  If it were illegal to not immunize, I could see disciplining the parents.

But like others have said, children CAN get sick and even die from the immunization itself.  So should they be punished for that?  No!

Just because a parent doesn't immunize and their child gets sick and gets another child sick, they shouldn't be held accountable either.  Immunization is a choice, NOT a rule.

Answer 4

No, because there is no guarantee that an immunization will protect your child. We vaccinate children because it improves their chances of survival in life greatly - not because it's a 100% for sure protection. Otherwise anyone could sue their doctor for getting a major illness that they were vaccinated for. Things can go wrong with vaccinations - we do vaccinations because the more people that do - the more likely that a serious disease will be wiped out and we avoid a major breakout of a deadly disease and avoid killing millions. If a few people want to take their chances - it's their choice and some people actually believe that it is a safer choice and that they can avoid serious developmental delays and autism. It's not a black and white issue like an infant carseat.  

Answer 5

A better question even than that would be should they be held liable if it could be proven that they infected other children or adults with which they came in contact.  Keep in mind that many pregnant women continue to work in fields where they would have to care for and/or treat these children (teachers, nurses, day care workers, etc.)

Answer 6

Vaccinated or not, the child can still get the disease and die from it.

In fact the child can get the disease or even die FROM the vaccine if it's a live virus and the child has a negative reaction to it.

Answer 7

I think so.  Unless their religion forbids it.  Then we might consider holding the church accountable.  But what really irks me are these parents who learn that there are some risks associated with immunization, and decide that their child is just too special to be exposed to that risk.  If every parent had thought this way, we'd all still be dying from smallpox and polio.  I have read that diseases such as measles and mumps are on the rise again, thanks to parents like this.  If your special special child isn't immunized, and gives measles to my infant, who isn't old enough to be immunized, and my infant dies, I think that you are guilty of murder.

P.S.  Despite all of these paranoid people's best efforts, and study after study having been done, there has been no link proven between immunizations and autism.  Sorry.  Try again.

Answer 8

Held accountable in what way?  Are you saying to send them to jail for murder or manslaughter?  No, I don't think that should happen.  I'm sure the loss of their child would be punishment enough.

Answer 9

Whether they are legally held accountable or not, they will always be emotionally accountable.  But in my opinion it is neglectful of a parent to knowingly prevent your child(ren) from receiving life saving vaccinations.

Answer 10

no way.  most children illness (autism)  is caused by vaccines anyway.  

Answer 11

You know, thats a good question.  Do you know parents can be loose custody if they follow their minor child's wish to not pursue cancer treatment.  But they are allowed to not vaccinate.

The autism link is very very very very debatable.  However, what IS proven is that the mercury can cause mercury poisoning.  Not autism, mercury poisoning.  In order to evaluate this question, you have to get to the bottom of the facts.  

However, I would be less concerned of that child getting it.  I mean, all vaccinations dont work for everyone.  I would be more curious if, as another person mentioned, it could be proven that the child infected others.

We dont vaccinate these viruses because they make life miserable for a couple weeks. We vaccinate because these viruses kill and are highly contagious.  And anyone who pays attention to the news will notice that measles out breaks are happening more and more often.  What was once a virus we nearly had gotten rid of, is now working on a strong come back.

Answer 12

i think i like arklatex's question even more than your because that will probably be the next big news headline when some parent, whose child has died of disease, tries to sue  the parent of a infected child who coincidentally or not has not been vaccinated. outbreaks usually can be traced back to the source so I'm just waiting for that story to break the news. i don't think they should be punished though its a disease not a intentional thing. however in resent years outbreaks of diseases that were thought to be contained in the U.S are spring up and the first thing everyone will say is blame the parents who don't vaccinate whether or not they deserve all the blame.  so it could be that in  the not so distant future thing may change regarding vaccines.

Answer 13

Even though I don't agree with not vaccinating your child, I don't think the parent should be held accountable for that.  It is enough for the parent to have to know that it could have been prevented.  

Answer 14

Should parents be held accountable if their child develops autism as the result of vaccinating their child?

These vaccines are linked to autism and I am definitely considering not vaccinating my unborn son. And you can get a waiver for public schooling.

EDIT: Why am I getting the thumbs down? THESE VACCINES ARE DANGEROUS. AUTISM ANYONE?

And I hardly ever hear of anyone coming down with smallpox or polio. Its rare and I think the child would be okay with not taking the risk of developing autism a severe devlopmental disorder that hampers everyday life and socialization. I work with autistic people. And males are more likely to develop it than females, so since I am having a boy, why put his livelihood at risk?

And for everyone who thinks thats selfish of me, its selfish of you to want me to put MY child at risk for developing autism because of poisonous vaccines.

Answer 15

If a parent CHOOSES *TO* vaccinate should the parent be held responsible if it kills their child?  Many vaccinations are for diseases that are not life threatening if the child has proper medical attention.  I believe we do a disservice to our children's' immune systems by not allowing their bodies to fight off these serious but not typically life threatening diseases.

A generation before us lived through the mumps, we lived through the chicken pox, and now our kids supposedly can't live through ear infections.  

Now, I am not a "nut" but I do believe in combining both traditional western and homeopathic medicine.  You just need to have your doctor on board with your beliefs and someone who is sympathetic to working with you through normal childhood diseases.  If my child gets sick, I will call their ped to get directions on what to watch for during the disease and when to seek further medical advice.  The bottom line is that I pay attention to and care for my children as any other vaccinating parent does their child.  We each must do what we are comfortable with.  As a non-vaccinating parent you must be more aware of your child's "norm" so you can detect disease at it's early stages.

Not vaccinating is not a good idea for kids who are going to be in contact with high risk situations in my opinion.

Long story short, irresponsible parenting is the only thing that should cause a parent to be held accountable in the event of a death.  A vaccinated child could still die from one of those diseases they are vaccinated against because the immunizations do not always work anyway.  So, any parent should be held accountable for being negligent and not taking proper care of their child.  But, there are also cases where religion prevents the use of western medicine, so you have to be careful there as well.

There are also cases where vaccinations are contraindicated by a neurological history in the family.  Our family is not questioned about vaccinations because my 2nd child is epileptic.  The load on the immune system can be deadly for a child with neuro problems--and sometimes it is hard to tell if your child will have a response until it is too late.

***How will my child infect your child if YOUR child is immunized?  If you're worried about getting the disease then YOU get the immunization.  If you trust the immunizations then trust them, don't flip flop back and forth.  Those vaccination studies are funded by the drug companies themselves.  Yes, mercury has been out of the picture for a while supposedly but there are other substances in the immunizations that are not so good.

Answer 16

Mercury has been out of immunizations for ages. There are more cases of autism these days. Why? Because testing is better these days. Early intervention makes a huge difference. I think parents who choose to not give shots are cruel and foolish...

Answer 17

The parents thought what they did was right regardless of what others may believe. Not that I wouldn't vaccinate my own kids.

Answer 18

Yes the parent should. Because he/she should no better than to put their child at risk. Anyways most schools now require vaccination to go.

Answer 19

No, its your choice to vaccinate your children. It is not illegal if you decide not to. If you didnt feed your child and your child dies, than you would be held accountable.