Sweetpea, sorry if you found my reply to be judgmental. I've lived here in France for quite some time now, and I've run into a number of "sticking points" between the US and French cultures - issues that seem to cause particular grief to many American expats. One of those is the question of "personal options" concerning the school system - which includes the issues of immunizations and parental preferences regarding what topics are covered in the schools, what books are assigned for reading and a parent's ability to take their child out of school for a family trip.

The US system is based on local control of schools and school issues, including a much greater latitude on matters affecting what the Americans consider to be "personal choice." The French system is highly centralized and does not allow for parental options on these (and other) issues. It is considered to be a matter of societal rights and equality and not one of personal choice.

I honestly don't care whether you have you children immunized or not or why you choose to do so or not do so. But if you come to France, you don't have that right to choose. As they say of so many things, better to know before you go. I also spent far too many years in France flailing against "injustices" and outrages I had no control over. It may seem unfair (as it did to me) but it's simply how it is in France. Knowing what the situation is and accepting it before you move can save you many months or years of unhappiness. That was my only intent.
Cheers,
Bev