People who don't believe in vaccines will sometimes point to the idea that they or their children haven't become sick as a result.
They'll boast that despite not having the MMR or flu jab, they or their loved ones stay healthy.
That's all well and good because we have this thing called herd immunity, which means enough of the population is vaccinated and therefore creates a safe environment not to pass on deadly diseases.
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However, in New Zealand, that herd immunity has been seriously weakened after an outbreak of measles.
There have been more than a thousand cases this year alone and it's prompting warnings from health officials to be careful. One mum has revealed that she wishes she vaccinated her young son after he nearly died from measles.
Ally Edward Lasenby called Kiwi radio station The Hits to explain that she became an anti-vaxxer because she feared the jab could cause autism, even though that research has been widely condemned and proven wrong by years of research.
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Sadly, Ally's son contracted the disease, wound up in hospital and nearly died.
"I believe that it's important to immunise," she told hosts Laura, Sam and Toni. "I played Russian roulette with my son's health, which I'm not proud of.
"What we went through, I wouldn't wish that upon anybody."
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"My biggest mistake, and the message that I've been sharing since, has been that if you make a decision based on the information that you have at the time, it's really important to revisit that."
She adds that when her son Cameron was admitted to hospital, she was terrified.
"My 13-year-old son was disappearing before my eyes," Edwards-Lasenby said."You think with these diseases and doctors and the medical profession as it is that they would miraculously appear with some sort of treatment to make this stop, but that doesn't happen."
In addition to nearly succumbing to measles, he developed pneumonia, had the flu twice, was lethargic, developed a rash and contracted conjunctivitis.
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The warning should serve as a big reminder to people of how bad it can get when you don't have herd immunity in your community.
Immunisation Advisory Centre director and GP Dr Nikki Turner has warned that if the number of measles cases doesn't improve then New Zealand could lose its elimination status, which would take several years to get back.
So don't gamble with your or your child's life and get the jab quick smart.
Featured Image Credit: PA