The fact that these diseases have not been totally eradicated does not prove that herd immunity is ineffective. On the contrary, these small outbreaks, as oppos

The fact that these diseases have not been totally eradicated does not prove that herd immunity is ineffective. On the contrary, these small outbreaks, as opposed to full-on plagues, show just how effective vaccination has been. As for the "choice a child actually has"... wtf? You cannot have a meaningful discussion with an 18 month old child about the pros and cons of vaccination. You can barely have a meaningful conversation about eating carrots. Doctors vaccinate at that age because it saves lives. I'm old enough to predate the MMR vaccine. I had mumps as a kid. It was awful. I still remember it, the pain, the not being able to open my mouth to eat. If my parents could have vaccinated me for that and failed, and I found out as an adult, I'd have been furious with them for exposing me to that suffering, not grateful for the choice.