Withholding Childhood Immunizations: A Parent ’s Right or a Child’s Neglect?

In this issue of Pediatric Neurology, Roach,1 and Salter and Friedman Ross2 penned dueling arguments addressing an enduring question: is parental refusal of the administration of the recommended childhood immunizations a form of child neglect? The authors ’ opinions are not components of a ‘zero-sum game.’ Both essays support a proven notion - childhood immunizations prevent morbidity and mortality.3 On the one hand, Roach’s opinion, tethered to a personal experience, is that by denying a child a means to avoid contracting a series of prevent able illnesses, parental responsibility has been abdicated.

Source: Pediatric Neurology - September 26, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Pedro Weisleder, Sidney M. Gospe Tags: Editorial Source Type: research