If there had been a polio vaccine when we were growing up, it would have prevented some of my schoolmates from being paralyzed and living in an iron lung, and spared my parents much worry and anxiety about one of us getting it..

If there had been a vaccination for diptheria when my father was growing up, he wouldn't have lost two siblings in one day from that disease.

So, I am thankful that there are vaccinations now for these communicable childhood diseases, and if the parents don't realize that they are fortunate to not have to worry about them and don't do the right thing, then the govt. should mandate it.