An unusual battle took place between two parents at the Kitchener courthouse on Friday, over whether or not to immunize a 10-year-old child.
The parents, who are separated, appeared in court to argue over giving their child the measles vaccine.
The mother is refusing to get the vaccine for their daughter, before a trip to Germany; the child’s father completely disagrees.
A publication ban is in place, so the child and parents cannot be named.
“I just wanted to take my child on vacation,” said the mother.
“If it were up to me, I would say she doesn’t get vaccinated,” she said.
“She tried to go to Germany and was willing not to protect the child, I have taken a stance to protect her from vaccine preventable diseases,” said the father.
“I want her to be vaccinated, you know, she has that right. I feel that that right has been denied to her,” he said.
In court the mother argued that there is only one measles vaccine available in Canada, and she has serious concerns about its safety – the father disagrees.
Measles has been in the spotlight recently, after outbreaks in Montreal and Toronto.
It is a serious disease that can cause deafness and brain damage.
Symptoms include a red rash and fever.
The judge in the case admitted that this is a rather unique case with serious high conflict.
The province’s health minister said he can’t comment on the specific case, but in a statement to CTV News said:
Our government will continue to educate Ontarians about the importance of getting their children vaccinated to protect them from preventable diseases. Our goal is to see as many Ontarians receive vaccinations as possible.
The judge added that this is a custody issue, on what parent can make the nest medical decision for their child.
“She’s a mature 10 and a half year old. She knows what’s good for her and what’s bad for her,” said the mother.
A ruling is expected to be handed out by the judge in the next two weeks, because the trip to Germany is scheduled for the end of April.
