Vaccine mandates could be falling by the wayside in some jurisdictions in the United States.

While not everyone agrees with vaccine mandates, they play a role in providing protection against transmittable diseases.

Dr. Julie Lajoie, an Assistant Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Manitoba, explains that role here.

“Those type of mandates to go to school are protecting other kids who are way younger or who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons. So removing them in the idea that “it’s body and my choice”, it can be dangerous. Yes, it is your body and your choice but when it’s about public health, it’s also about who you are protecting.”

Lajoie said she and her peers are concerned that vaccination rates will drop more than they have already, resulting in the spike of diseases like measles such as was seen this year in some parts of Canada and the U.S.

She added that vaccines go through stringent testing for efficacy and safety before being launched to the public.

For more information on vaccines, tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.