A mandatory vaccination system is not likely on the horizon: BC’s top doc

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With new numbers indicating 78 per cent of people support the introduction of mandatory vaccines for kids in this province, BC’s top doctor is talking with us about efforts to get anti-vaxxers to change their views.

But Dr. Perry Kendall says despite these figures, a mandatory system isn’t likely to happen anytime soon.

The biggest hurdle, according to Kendall, is Charter rights, which would likely prevent a truly mandatory system.

“In the Canadian context, this is an issue for discussion because it puts the rights of the community against the rights of parents and the rights of individuals,” he explains.

“It might be challenging, I would think, in view of Charter rights — conscientous objection or religious grounds — to move to make all vaccination mandatory. What Ontario has done and other provinces have done, is make knowing the status of the child’s vaccination mandatory and working hard to encourage parents to get their kids vaccinated.”

But he says front-line doctors and nurses need to continue work to educate parents on the risks of taking a pass on the jab.

“Once people become aware that there is a factor of risk, I think they become aware of the risk,” says Kendall. “It’s when you don’t see the cases and you don’t hear about the diseases and you don’t think your child is at risk, that you then think you’re making a sensible decision.”

He notes efforts are also being made by health authorities to convince alternative medicine practioners to endorse vaccines for their clients.

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