Vaccines may not be safe for everyone.
But they are safer than catching the disease.
Just ask anyone who has to suffer for the rest of their lives, how they feel when they know it could have been avoided if they had been vaccinated.
I had an adult friend who contracted mumps - not a problem when you are a kid. Very bad as an adult.
No-one would go near him to bring him food, water etc because they were afraid they might also catch it.
I had been vaccinated, so I became his only lifeline.
Add to the complications of this, the fact that due to his immune system being compromised, his malaria flared up.
Had he been left alone, he would be dead.
Ask him what he thinks about vaccination.
sure, some people will have a negative reaction to a vaccine. Some people have negative reactions to nuts, milk, work etc. But most people don't.
If I had kids there is no question that they would be vaccinated. I would not wish those diseases on my worst enemy.
First:
Trevor, you're a good guy and a true friend!
Secondly:
Vaccines do not confer lifelong immunity. Mumps is a very easy disease if you catch it as a child (I know, for I've had it and one of my kids did as well). But if you catch it as an adult, it can be quite difficult. Sadly, since the MMR vaccine does not confer lifelong immunity, you are much more likely to catch it as an adult and suffer the repercussions of it. Had your friend had mumps as a child, he wouldn't have developed the disease, since once you have mumps, you have lifelong immunity. Sadly, not so with the vaccine, so you can thank your body for having strong immunity.