Anti-vaxxers don't just want the right to not vaccinate their children. They want the right to do so without facing any consequences themselves—or at least, any more consequences than they can inflict on others in the form preventable disease. A petition to the White House calls on the Obama administration to
prohibit any laws mandating the force and requirement of vaccinations of any kind. And by "force and requirement," they really do mean "any consequences at all":
No human being should be FORCED to be vaccinated against their will and/or personal/religious beliefs. I petition against making vaccinations of any kind mandatory. This includes forcing children to be vaccinated to attend public schools, activities, and daycare centers. This also includes adults working in the public or private sector.
So the more than 23,000 people who have signed this think that they should be able to endanger others by refusing vaccinations and then being allowed full participation in our society. They're willing to fight for their beliefs in the form of petitions, but not to sacrifice for them by accepting that if you present a public health menace, there's a range of public goods and services you don't get to share in.
This is where the American government has to say no. Your decision to ignore the science and refuse to vaccinate your kid may be your mistake to make, but you don't have the right to endanger other people's kids. You can vaccinate and send your kids to public school or you can refuse to vaccinate and figure out another arrangement. But "I should get the benefits of public education while refusing to respect public health" cannot be an acceptable position.
(Via Raw Story)