Some states weigh opt-out laws for mandatory immunizations
Some states weigh opt-out laws for mandatory immunizations
- Comments 39
Lawmakers in seven states are considering legislation that would make it easier for parents to opt out of mandatory immunization requirements for their children, sparking debate among public health experts and some parents.
2008 photo by Thomas Patterson, for USA TODAY
Two-month old Jack Aleskus gets a checkup and immunizations. Seven states are considering making it easier for parents to opt out of mandatory immunization requirements for their children.
2008 photo by Thomas Patterson, for USA TODAY
Two-month old Jack Aleskus gets a checkup and immunizations. Seven states are considering making it easier for parents to opt out of mandatory immunization requirements for their children.
All but two states —West Virginia and Mississippi — as well the District of Columbia, allow parents to opt out of school-required vaccines based on religious beliefs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Those two states are now considering bills that would allow exemptions because of philosophical beliefs.
West Virginia state Sen. Donna Boley, who is sponsoring a bill, said a philosophical exemption allows parents who object to vaccines to opt out for their own reasons. "I've had parents encourage me for quite some time that would like to be in charge of what's put into their children's bodies," Boley, a Republican, said.
Diane Peterson, an associate director at the Immunization Action Coalition, a group that works to increase immunization rates says "that's not a move in the right direction."
Bills that would allow philosophical exemptions have also been introduced in five other states, Peterson said. Lawmakers in an eighth state, South Dakota, rejected two bills this month. Nineteen states already allow philosophical exemptions, according to the NCSL.
The move to expand that number is alarming many public health experts. Wendell Hoffman, an infectious disease doctor in Sioux Falls, S.D., argues that vaccinations have rid the country of diseases that once ravaged the populace. Those diseases threaten a comeback if more children don't receive vaccinations, he says.
"Your eyes are not deceiving you if you notice that small pox, polio, measles and rubella have been eliminated from the United States in 1949, 1979, 2000 to 2004 respectively," he told South Dakota lawmakers.
The debate over vaccines is also causing more physicians to refuse to treat families that don't vaccinate, said Douglas Diekema, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington who has studied the issue for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
"There have always been physicians who have felt this way, but I think they are becoming much more vocal about it, and they're being joined by others," Diekema said.
Barbara Loe Fisher, president of the National Vaccine Information Center in Virginia, supports the exemptions. Until there's more science on vaccines' effects, she said, parents should have the option to exempt their children.
There are movements in some states to roll back existing exemptions, including in Vermont and Arizona.
Contributing: Ellis also reports for the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, S.D.
I don't think this will make much of a difference. Those that don't want to vaccinate their children already find ways to opt-out. I guess this will just make less hoops for them to go through?
I don't see this as a cause to decreased vaccination rates. They're already declining, which to me, is frightening.
Measles outbreak in Central Indiana. any child or school worker who isn't vaccinated must get vaccinated now. 13 cases of the measles have been reported. One less thing I have to worry about because I have mine, my sons have theirs (even my pets have been vaccinated)!!
It doesn't change my pro position on vaccination. I don't get the big deal about it. I don't believe it causes Autism, of any sort, and I do not want to debate my opinion.
I do love the fact that laws will PROTECT both sides of this and stop wasting money in litigation around it, once it's finished!
My son got measles last year. He had the vaccine. My dd caught it from him and she didn't have the vaccine. His case was much worse than hers.
Quoting lesleelane:Measles outbreak in Central Indiana. any child or school worker who isn't vaccinated must get vaccinated now. 13 cases of the measles have been reported. One less thing I have to worry about because I have mine, my sons have theirs (even my pets have been vaccinated)!!
I think they should do it cause as it is parents already know they can just say its against their beliefs, might as well just let them say I don't trust them or I don't want the chemicals in my kid/kids. My kids were not vaxed because I am an herbalist and do not want to put the stuff in myself or my kids. I know the risks and I know my kids cant go to school if there is an outbreak. So far they have been healthy and they have never had an outbreak happen in their schools. Now I only have one in school and still no out breaks and no illness. Not saying my choice is best just that it was best for us. I think all parents should have that choice without needing an excuse.
I think they should be able to opt out.
I think daycares and public schools should be able to ban them.
We all should be able to opt out, imo...
Fyi: Vaccines and shedding:
"80% of vaccine recipients shed one or more virus strains (mean duration: 7.6 days)."
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/laiv-shed.htm
CDC: not my fav. source...
Why have vaccination requirements to enter school then if it is so easy to opt out.
I think if it is required to have certain vaccinations to enroll in school or day care, then you shouldn't be able to opt out. Make other arrangements.
I think it needs to be up to the parents and what they feel is best for their children. It is a matter of respect. I respect those that choose not to vax and I expect those that do not vax to respect my choice to vax. Pretty simple if you ask me.
Eight Year Old Girl Given "Catastrophe Award" By Teacher
- -Eilish-
on Feb. 16, 2012 at 5:13 PM