Vaccines are a miracle. Consider maladies like Polio that used to stalk young people if you're skeptical.
Just the same, the miracle of vaccination makes it hard to understand why the most ardent supporters of vaccines would care that Florida has chosen to end vaccine mandates for public schools. No doubt in the past Florida schools presumably required proof of certain vaccinations as part of enrollment, but it’s hard to see where it makes much difference if they no longer do.
That’s because a substantial majority if not a totality wouldn’t need a law to vaccinate their children. These are things most do based on the not unreasonable supposition that a failure to do them imperils the kids.
Still, for the parents of kids in public schools, it’s worth wondering if it’s ever occurred to any of them to check the records of vaccinated students relative to enrollment. It's no reach to say some parents check to make sure everyone’s done as they’ve been told, but the guess here is that most wouldn’t and have never bothered.
For one, the truest believers in vaccinations already have their kids vaccinated. That being the case, why would it matter to them what other parents are doing assuming they’re doing what they deem correct?
A search on Google defines a vaccine as “a medical product that teaches the body's immune system to recognize and defend itself against harmful germs like viruses and bacteria.” Which means that if the vaccine is effective, it seemingly doesn’t matter what other parents do with their own kids.
Most parents wouldn’t put too much thought into what other parents are doing on the not unreasonable assumption that the others, much like the truest, bluest believers in vaccines, avail themselves of what keeps their kids upright. Really, who requires force to protect their kids?
It’s a question worth asking as editorials like a recent one in the Washington Post find their way into the public discussion. It reads: “FLORIDA INVITES DISASTER BY TRYING TO ELIMINATE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS.” About the Post’s contention, the bet here is that it won’t age well. And that’s not a knock on vaccines.
It’s just a comment that assuming disaster awaits Florida for removing a vaccine mandate, problem solved. If suddenly there’s a surge of illness among kids whose parents didn’t or wouldn’t get their kids vaccinated, the rise of illness would be the powerful signal for them to do just that. Again, who needs a law to keep themselves safe, healthy, or both?
At the same time, it’s difficult to imagine that a disaster awaits. That’s not a medical comment as much as it’s a speculation that a substantial majority of parents would be getting their children vaccinated against a few or a lot of viruses with or without a mandate. Stating what should be obvious, convention of the kind that keeps children healthy is much more powerful than the law.
Which means Florida’s health situation as applied to children likely won’t be much different post mandate than it is now. Most parents will continue to do as they've always done. As for those who will be less vigilant thanks to Florida's relaxations, good for them. Every Florida parent will be rendered smarter by the actions of the outliers. And if the Post is correct with its disaster predictions, every parent will be quite a bit more vigilant too.
