The issue of childhood vaccinations has engendered strong feelings on both sides. Those who support vaccinating children against an array of communicable childhood diseases, some with serious long term consequences for the child, do so on the grounds that they protect the individual children and prevent the spread of such diseases to other children, a serious public health issue. Those who oppose vaccinating their children do so because they believe vaccinations are not safe and pose health risks for their child. They argue that the decisions regarding children’s health care should rest with the parents. An increasing number of states are making the vaccination of school-age children mandatory.