If a parent's decision directly causes another child to get seriously sick or die, that should carry legal consequences just like any other preventable harm. This isn’t about forcing vaccination. It’s about responsibility for harm caused to others. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 89-97% of measles cases are in unvaccinated people. In 2026 alone, 1,200+ measles cases were already reported, mostly outbreak related. 40% of measles cases require hospitalization. Children under 5 have the highest hospitalization rates (over 50%), and critically measles spreads extremely easily through air. It mainly spreads in clusters of unvaccinated people. Not every child can be vaccinated (infants under 1 year, & kids with cancer or weak immune systems). These kids rely on others for protection (herd immunity 95% needed). So when a parent refuses vaccination they’re not just taking a personal risk, they are increasing the risk for vulnerable children nearby & could cause real harm to OTHER children. The legal principle we already punish preventable harm. We already hold people accountable when their choices harm others (drunk driving even if you didn't intend harm, negligent gun storage if a child gets hurt, infectious disease laws knowingly exposing others can be illegal). So the argument is choosing not to vaccinate and then transmitting a deadly disease is a form of negligence, not just a personal choice. Holding people liable respects freedom (no forced vaccination), but enforces responsibility when others are harmed. It’s similar to “You’re free to take risks—but not free to harm other people.” We have clear evidence that unvaccinated individuals drive outbreaks, these outbreaks hospitalize children and sometimes kill them, some victims had no choice (too young or medically unable to vaccinate). So if a parent’s decision leads to another child getting seriously ill or dying that’s not just a personal belief it’s preventable harm, and the law should treat it that way.