Teens challenge anti-vax parents
Children of anti-vaxers are opting to get their vaccinations as teenagers and young adults, often prompted by the desire to travel.
Immunisation Advisory Centre director Dr Nikki Turner said about 2 per cent of people were actively choosing not to get their children vaccinated.
But it was not uncommon for children of anti-vax parents to make a different choice when they were no longer under the care of a parent, Turner said.
Children under the age of 16 have the right to minor treatment, including immunisations, under the Health and Disability Code of Consumer Rights.
For Victoria University student Vito Strati, 22, who went to Christchurch Rudolph Steiner School, discussions with vaccinated friends and a trip to Vietnam in 2016 prompted him to get vaccinated when he was 19.
Strati said he grew up in a community of families who distrusted traditional medicine, including vaccinations.
The anti-vax view was based on ‘‘anecdotes’’ about children who had reacted badly to vaccines. His mother was flummoxed by his decision, saying he was ‘‘living proof’’ the alternative approach worked.
Getting to know the father of a school friend, who was a doctor and believed in vaccination, helped sway Strati’s opinion.
‘‘That showed me that care and compassion was not just something that those who practised homeopathy and natural medicine had.’’
Strati believed a small number of people may react badly to vaccines but the advantages greatly outweighed the disadvantages. Strati did not try to change his mother’s view. ‘‘I don’t think there is anything little old me could say to change her mind.’’
Another former Steiner student, Victoria University student Vito Strati says he grew up in a community that distrusted traditional medicine, including vaccinations. He has since been immunised. ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Rebecca ThompsonLooij
Former Christchurch Rudolph Steiner School student Rebecca Thompson-Looij, 17, said she had been brought up to believe not being vaccinated was something to be proud of.
‘‘Recently I’ve been like, well, I don’t want to be susceptible to these preventable diseases and also I know there are people out there who can’t get vaccinated so it is kind of my civic duty to get it done because they can’t protect themselves.’’
Thompson-Looij began thinking about vaccinations ahead of a trip to Southeast Asia.
Her mother was supportive of her daughter’s decision as she had changed her view about immunisation in recent years, ThompsonLooij said. However, her father remained opposed.
Phoenix Arrowfield, 18, said his parents felt immunisations posed unnecessary risks for young children.
However, he wanted to join the navy, which required applicants to be fully immunised. This encouraged him to complete his immunisation schedule this year. Bullshit and Jellybeans