Posted: May 27, 2013 8:39 am
Not an epidemiologist, but no vaccine program aims for 100% coverage, I have to find the references but I seem to remember that the desired coverage is 90-95%, there will always be individuals that cannot mount an immune response, and those with serious intolerances - where the risk benefit ratio does not work.
But the principle you are advancing works. When the disease is common the risk benefit ratio massively favours vaccination as the diseases is driven toward extinction the risk benefit ratio may even reverse - so then the issue is one of public health and it is easy for individuals to argue that they feel uncomfortable consenting on behalf of their children to any increase in risk. Of course this is a very short term strategy since they are also consenting to continued risk exposure of all future generations.
But the principle you are advancing works. When the disease is common the risk benefit ratio massively favours vaccination as the diseases is driven toward extinction the risk benefit ratio may even reverse - so then the issue is one of public health and it is easy for individuals to argue that they feel uncomfortable consenting on behalf of their children to any increase in risk. Of course this is a very short term strategy since they are also consenting to continued risk exposure of all future generations.