Parents decide against vaccines

To the editor:

In response to the article "The thimerosal debate: The vaccine preservative contains mercury": We have two children, and we have chosen for them not to receive vaccines. We believe that research has shown enough evidence that the risks outweigh the benefits. Just because you receive a vaccine does not make you immune to it. I love how schools harp that vaccines are mandatory when indeed they are not. As a child I had a vaccine against chicken pox and ended up getting it three times. What does that tell you about the vaccine? In my opinion vaccines are a big money maker and nothing more.

LINDSEY BELL

Manchester, Mo.