I suspect I have a very different view on the vaccine argument than either of you.
A) Freedom of choice. As long as its optional, I'm all for it it. For better or worse, its natural selection if someone does or doesn't shoot up. I'm even fine with it being a requirement for government schools, so long as those are optional as well.
B) Herd immunity is just a bandage if it isn't hereditary. If humans continue relying on temporary artificial modification of their immune systems in order to survive, after enough generations our native environment will become lethal without intervention, because the genetics for strong immune systems will no longer be selected for. In such a scenario, those who make (or control) the vaccines would hold unimaginable power.
C) Not all vaccines are created equal, in both safety and necessity. A polio vaccine is a whole lot more practical than a seasonal flu shot. I will never put a flu shot in my body, nor anyone under my care. If I'm gonna die of a seasonal flu, so be it. But I also don't want a kid living life as a cripple due to polio, so I say that one is good.
In short. People always make vaccination out to be some black/white issue. The reality is that its not only a discussion over dozens of different kinds of vaccination, but also one of freedom, and the survival of our species. Anyone who can sum up their opinion in a yes/no answer is being asked the wrong question.
I think our opinions are closer than you think.
1) I support freedom of choice but I also think that if someone doesn't vaccinate their child or themselves then they need to accept all the consequences (social and health).
2) Absolutely herd immunity is just a bandage but it does have advantages mainly with protecting those with compromised immune systems and the ability to eradicate some diseases without the need to wait for genetic evolution to occur. I think as genetic research continues then we may see vaccines that do edit a person's genetic code so that it becomes hereditary. Then those who own the vaccine will really hold the power unless the creators refuse to profit and make it "open source" per se.
3) Again, absolutely not all vaccines are created equal. We chose to vaccinate our children with the common childhood vaccines because we wanted to give them a better chance of reaching adulthood. The flu shot I don't get because I seem to get the flu whenever I get it but we'll get it for our toddler.
You pretty much summed up my issue with the original comment. It came across as "if you support any vaccines you are wrong and an idiot." Only Sith deal in absolutes and this isn't an issue that is black/white. I think as a whole, vaccines are generally beneficial to humans but they aren't created equal. People should have the freedom to make a choice either way and they should also have access to credible unbiased information to help them make their decisions.
Argue what? That herd immunity is only effective if the amount of free riders is kept to a minimum?
Also please explain why the shots are worthless? Because everyone will die at some point anyways?
Not looking to change your opinions on shots, just think that the end of your comment was uncalled for and uncouth.