Patch Talker: Readers Respond to State Requiring New Vaccinations for Students

When the Illinois State Board of Health recently approved new recommendations requiring all sixth through twelfth grade students to have an additional vaccination, the Tdap booster shot, Patch asked readers to weigh in.

Do you think the state of Illinois should be telling us how to vaccinate our children? Do you think it’s fair that those who refuse vaccinations will not be allowed to attend school?

Here are some of the responses we received:

"I think it is fair...as long as the Gov't pays for it. Many people are uninsured and cannot afford another medical bill."

"Who is the government or anybody think that they have a right to say what I inject into my body...I feel bad for the few who will have seizures or contract whatever due to this shot. It's my body, plain and simple. This is outrageous, I would not have my kids get this."

"If a parent can't afford the cost of the vaccination, they surely can't afford a week long hospitalization, if their child gets Whooping Cough (Pertussis).. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that 11 & 12 year old children get the vaccination. There are 300,000 deaths per year. world wide. More then half of 1 year olds who get Whooping Cough, are hospitalized."

State to Require New Vaccinations for 6th-12th Graders: What Do You Think?

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