Opinion: Vaccine Mandates Remain Crucial for Public Health

Calls to roll back childhood vaccine requirements are a dangerous gamble that threatens community safety, writes A.J. Russo.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In an opinion piece, A.J. Russo, a retired biology professor and research director, argues that vaccine mandates have been one of the most effective public health measures in history, creating herd immunity that protects even those who cannot be vaccinated. Russo warns that abandoning vaccine mandates in favor of case-by-case doctor recommendations would weaken this protective barrier, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough. The author emphasizes that public health requires collective responsibility, and that undermining vaccine mandates sends the wrong message that personal preference outweighs community safety.

Why it matters

Vaccine mandates have been crucial in eradicating or controlling many deadly infectious diseases, creating herd immunity that protects the entire community, including those who cannot be vaccinated. Abandoning these mandates in favor of individual medical advice could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases, straining local health systems and endangering vulnerable populations.

The details

Russo argues that vaccine mandates for school entry have been one of the most effective public health measures, helping to virtually eliminate diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough that once claimed thousands of lives annually. However, the author warns that even a small decrease in vaccination rates within a community can lead to outbreaks, as herd immunity requires a large portion of the population to be immune. The article cites the 2019 measles outbreak in the U.S., which occurred primarily in areas with high rates of vaccine refusal. Russo contends that without consistent mandates, vaccination becomes an optional act rather than an expected civic duty, and disparities arise as some doctors may be influenced by misinformation or parental pressure to customize recommendations.

  • In 2019, the U.S. experienced its largest measles outbreak in nearly 30 years, with over 1,200 confirmed cases.

The players

A.J. Russo

A retired biology professor at Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the research director at the Mensah Medical Research Institute in Illinois. He is the author of 'Vaccine Development and the Understanding of Immunity' (Cambridge Scholars, 2025) and 'Vaccines: How They Work, Their History, and Their Impact' (Ethics International Press, 2026).

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What they’re saying

“When vaccination decisions depend on individual physician advice rather than a consistent policy, disparities arise. Some doctors — faced with parental pressure, misinformation or uncertainty about vaccine schedules — may customize recommendations in ways that leave children unprotected.”

— A.J. Russo, Retired biology professor and research director (baltimoresun.com)

“Paradoxically, mandates can boost trust in medicine by standardizing expectations. When vaccination becomes a social norm backed by law, parents can feel assured that others are doing their part. This promotes community responsibility rather than moral panic.”

— A.J. Russo, Retired biology professor and research director (baltimoresun.com)

The takeaway

Vaccine mandates are crucial public health measures that have saved countless lives by creating herd immunity and protecting the most vulnerable. Abandoning these mandates in favor of individual medical advice would weaken this collective shield, leading to the resurgence of preventable diseases and putting entire communities at risk.