David Swann pushes for 'mandatory choice' vaccines

Alberta's soleLiberal MLA is pushing for a form ofmandatory vaccinations for babies and children, something that a majority in the provincefavour, according to a recentsurvey.

Dr. David Swanncalls his approach "mandatory choice" because it would allow parents to opt out, but only after extensive education.

"It'snot forcing people to have vaccinations. It'sforcing people to make a decision about vaccinations," he said.

• Mandatory childhood vaccinations supported by majority in B.C. and Alberta: poll

Swann's approach calls forparents to attend counsellingif theyrefuse to vaccinate their child.Ifthey still resist, parents would have to withdraw their child from school ifa disease like whooping cough appears.

Education is a better approach thanforcing parents to vaccinate, according to University of Calgary microbiologist Glen Armstrong.

"I personally am not in favour of mandatory vaccinations. I believe if you educate them, they will on their own, without being forced, make the right decision," he said.

Swann, a physician,plans to make "mandatory choice" in vaccinations a priority in the legislature, although he acknowledgesit will be difficultas the only Liberal MLA.

"I'll be speaking with the health minister about it," he said.

The Alberta government is reviewing the policy, but ithas not "made any decisions regarding potential changes to the immunization policy," according toa written statement.