07/09/2003

Parents should decide whether to vaccinate

Re: "Law lets kids forgo vaccines – Critics worry about health in schools; others applaud choice," Friday Associated Press story.

Hooray to the media for giving due coverage to the vaccination issues in our state! Hooray to the Texas state lawmakers for their bold decision to allow parents, who are informed and responsible, the right to choose what is best for their children.

God gives each parent the ability to discern what is best for our children, and there should be no law passed that places our children's well-being in the hands of the government or schools over a parent. As all doctors know, just because a child receives a vaccine for a certain disease it does not guarantee that that child will not acquire it. My son is vaccine and chemical free, and is among the healthiest of kids his age.

While, after much research and prayer we made our decision, I know that many parents choose to vaccinate, and just as they are respected, we parents who love our children just as much should be respected, by law. Big government will not be raising my child, I will!

Thank you, Texas, for choosing to allow equal rights for parents who make the controversial decision to keep vaccines away from our children.

Piper Carothers, Waco, Texas