...are all the people who didn't get a flu-shot responsible? Sure, if by getting a flu shot you can reliably prevent infection. That's nowhere near as true for

...are all the people who didn't get a flu-shot responsible? Sure, if by getting a flu shot you can reliably prevent infection. That's nowhere near as true for flu as it is, say, for polio. Why are we even suggesting removing an individuals right to make their own decision based on their own research? You're assuming there that most people make their decisions based on research - they don't. People's irrational fears affect their ability to accurately estimate statistical risk tremendously. Plus we already do this - education is mandatory. What if I decide that my child would be happier not being educated? Should I have the right to make that decision? That's not many steps away from mandatory abortions for undesirable genetic traits. Of course it is - one is performed purely for the benefit of the individual (and perhaps their family) whereas the other is performed to try to eradicate communicable diseases which cause untold misery across the world for the benefit of everyone.