comments needed Vaccine skeptics protest bill requiring doctor's note to opt out | Seattle Times Newspaper

[Guest guest]

thank you Belkin and others for taking the time and speaking out

- there is a place for comments at this article - please write carefully,

thought out, respectful responses also can write the author of the

bill & the author of this piece

Washington State -

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014573388_vaccinesbill23m.html

Vaccine skeptics protest bill requiring doctor's note to opt out

A proposal to make it more difficult for parents to avoid school-entry

immunization requirements has raised the ire of opponents, who say the

requirement is insulting and violates their parental rights.

By Carol M. Ostrom

Seattle Times health reporter

Worried by outbreaks of contagious diseases such as measles and whooping

cough, public-health officials are supporting a proposal to make it more

difficult for parents to avoid school-entry immunization

requirements.

The measure under consideration has drawn strong support in both houses

of the Legislature and faced little opposition until recently, when

vaccine-resisting parents mobilized to pack hearings and lobby

lawmakers.

The proposal would require parents who seek exemption from current state

law to submit proof that a health provider has informed them of the risks

and benefits of immunization.

Currently, parents can sign a form themselves to claim religious,

philosophical or personal reasons for refusing to immunize their children

before enrolling them in school or day care.

Public-health officials say the bill is needed because immunization rates

are falling, parents are receiving sketchy information from the Internet

and the state has made it too convenient for them to skip

immunization.

" Convenience is not a reason to risk our children's health, and

countering misinformation requires a conversation with a trusted and

informed health-care provider, " Dr. Goldbaum, Snohomish Health

District health officer, told lawmakers. " This is a matter of

protecting our most vulnerable citizens: our children. "

But more than 100 protesters who showed up at committee hearings this

month weren't buying that.

" This bill implies that I am reckless, irresponsible and uninformed,

when in fact that is the complete opposite, " bristled Rowe, a

Bainbridge Island mother who attended a Senate committee hearing last

week with her 5-year-old daughter, whose neurological disorder was caused

by a vaccine, according to Rowe.

Belkin, also from Bainbridge, told the committee that as a

statistics-savvy financial analyst, he doesn't want to listen to

" some doctor's propaganda. "

Belkin, who writes and speaks against vaccines, said one of his daughters

died at 5 months of age, 17 hours after receiving her first vaccine.

" The truth of the matter is there are risks in

vaccines. "

Janine Parque, who traveled from Puyallup for a House committee hearing

this month, didn't have a chance to speak but was ready to testify

against the bill's " complete entanglement of church and

state. "

Her children aren't vaccinated because she believes in their

" God-given immunity to fight off disease and infection, " she

said. " I researched this issue on my own, and I made a decision that

the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits. "

Diseases are forgotten

That's the kind of statement that drives public-health officials a little

crazy.

Parents should be more frightened of the disease than the immunization,

said Dr. Maxine , state public-health officer.

" I grew up with polio around, " she said. " I had people in

my class who had polio. Polio was very scary. "

Because immunization has been so successful, she said, some parents now

are more scared of vaccines than the diseases, " because they don't

see the diseases. "

The parents at the hearings were a " skewed group " who believe

their children's injuries were caused by vaccines, said. " We

have one of the safest vaccine supplies in the world. "

House Bill 1015 and its twin, SB 5005, drew little opposition at first,

easily passing their respective houses. But opponents packed hearing

rooms in recent weeks.

Rep. Barbara , an Oak Harbor Republican and the prime sponsor of

the House bill, tried to head off opposition as she introduced it to the

Senate committee last week.

" Nothing in this bill is intended to prevent parents exercising

their parental rights, " she said.

Sen. Keiser, D-Kent, committee chair and sponsor of the companion

Senate bill, said: " We make it easy to get a signature that you've

been informed. " The bill's intent is that parents get " good

information to make their decisions. "

Public-health officials told lawmakers that the vast majority of

exemptions aren't for religious, philosophical or personal convictions

but are about convenience.

" Parents are busy, they're working, " said. " I raised

two kids by myself. I know. All you want is to get the kid in

school. "

It's so easy in this state to " sign on the line " and opt out

that it's a disincentive to getting the vaccine, she said.

Washington has one of the highest exemption rates in the country, which

increases the likelihood of outbreaks, health officials said. Those can

be especially risky to chronically ill students or those whose

immune-system problems preclude vaccination.

" It's tragic to me when an infant dies of whooping cough " —

which has happened twice this year in Washington, said. " It's

totally preventable. "

" Fired " by your doctor?

The bill has been endorsed by the Washington State Medical Association

and the Washington Academy of Family Physicians.

Legislators appeared concerned about one claim by opponents: that doctors

asked to sign statements by vaccine-refusing parents would refuse or

would " fire " their patients.

Ezra Eickmeyer, representing the National Vaccine Information Center, an

anti-vaccine group, noted a 2001 survey in which 23 percent of

pediatricians said they " always " or " sometimes " tell

vaccine-refusing parents they no longer can be the child's

doctor.

Dr. Steve Albrecht, president of the Washington Academy of Family

Physicians, said doctors differ: " I know some docs who are very

flexible and available and adaptable about altering the vaccine regimen,

and others who will say 'I don't want to work with you.' "

In general, doctors support vaccines because they have studied the

research, and they want " what's good for patients, " Albrecht

said.

He said parents such as Belkin who don't vaccinate their children are

taking advantage of the broad immunity that results from most parents

complying with the law.

Belkin " shouldn't make too strong a case or the herd immunity will

go away. "

Carol M. Ostrom: 206-464-2249

or costrom@...

Rep. Barbara , R-Oak Harbor, and Sen. Keiser, D-Kent,

sponsored the vaccine bill.

Related

Information

The bills: House Bill 1015 and Senate Bill 5005, now ESB 5005:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

Vaccines required for school or day care in Washington

state:

www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools/vaccine.htm

Centers for Disease Control vaccine recommendations:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm

SEND IN YOUR RESPECTFUL COMMENTS

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start March 4

[Guest guest]

thank you Belkin and others for taking the time and speaking out

- there is a place for comments at this article - please write carefully,

thought out, respectful responses also can write the author of the

bill & the author of this piece

Washington State -

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014573388_vaccinesbill23m.html

Vaccine skeptics protest bill requiring doctor's note to opt out

A proposal to make it more difficult for parents to avoid school-entry

immunization requirements has raised the ire of opponents, who say the

requirement is insulting and violates their parental rights.

By Carol M. Ostrom

Seattle Times health reporter

Worried by outbreaks of contagious diseases such as measles and whooping

cough, public-health officials are supporting a proposal to make it more

difficult for parents to avoid school-entry immunization

requirements.

The measure under consideration has drawn strong support in both houses

of the Legislature and faced little opposition until recently, when

vaccine-resisting parents mobilized to pack hearings and lobby

lawmakers.

The proposal would require parents who seek exemption from current state

law to submit proof that a health provider has informed them of the risks

and benefits of immunization.

Currently, parents can sign a form themselves to claim religious,

philosophical or personal reasons for refusing to immunize their children

before enrolling them in school or day care.

Public-health officials say the bill is needed because immunization rates

are falling, parents are receiving sketchy information from the Internet

and the state has made it too convenient for them to skip

immunization.

" Convenience is not a reason to risk our children's health, and

countering misinformation requires a conversation with a trusted and

informed health-care provider, " Dr. Goldbaum, Snohomish Health

District health officer, told lawmakers. " This is a matter of

protecting our most vulnerable citizens: our children. "

But more than 100 protesters who showed up at committee hearings this

month weren't buying that.

" This bill implies that I am reckless, irresponsible and uninformed,

when in fact that is the complete opposite, " bristled Rowe, a

Bainbridge Island mother who attended a Senate committee hearing last

week with her 5-year-old daughter, whose neurological disorder was caused

by a vaccine, according to Rowe.

Belkin, also from Bainbridge, told the committee that as a

statistics-savvy financial analyst, he doesn't want to listen to

" some doctor's propaganda. "

Belkin, who writes and speaks against vaccines, said one of his daughters

died at 5 months of age, 17 hours after receiving her first vaccine.

" The truth of the matter is there are risks in

vaccines. "

Janine Parque, who traveled from Puyallup for a House committee hearing

this month, didn't have a chance to speak but was ready to testify

against the bill's " complete entanglement of church and

state. "

Her children aren't vaccinated because she believes in their

" God-given immunity to fight off disease and infection, " she

said. " I researched this issue on my own, and I made a decision that

the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits. "

Diseases are forgotten

That's the kind of statement that drives public-health officials a little

crazy.

Parents should be more frightened of the disease than the immunization,

said Dr. Maxine , state public-health officer.

" I grew up with polio around, " she said. " I had people in

my class who had polio. Polio was very scary. "

Because immunization has been so successful, she said, some parents now

are more scared of vaccines than the diseases, " because they don't

see the diseases. "

The parents at the hearings were a " skewed group " who believe

their children's injuries were caused by vaccines, said. " We

have one of the safest vaccine supplies in the world. "

House Bill 1015 and its twin, SB 5005, drew little opposition at first,

easily passing their respective houses. But opponents packed hearing

rooms in recent weeks.

Rep. Barbara , an Oak Harbor Republican and the prime sponsor of

the House bill, tried to head off opposition as she introduced it to the

Senate committee last week.

" Nothing in this bill is intended to prevent parents exercising

their parental rights, " she said.

Sen. Keiser, D-Kent, committee chair and sponsor of the companion

Senate bill, said: " We make it easy to get a signature that you've

been informed. " The bill's intent is that parents get " good

information to make their decisions. "

Public-health officials told lawmakers that the vast majority of

exemptions aren't for religious, philosophical or personal convictions

but are about convenience.

" Parents are busy, they're working, " said. " I raised

two kids by myself. I know. All you want is to get the kid in

school. "

It's so easy in this state to " sign on the line " and opt out

that it's a disincentive to getting the vaccine, she said.

Washington has one of the highest exemption rates in the country, which

increases the likelihood of outbreaks, health officials said. Those can

be especially risky to chronically ill students or those whose

immune-system problems preclude vaccination.

" It's tragic to me when an infant dies of whooping cough " —

which has happened twice this year in Washington, said. " It's

totally preventable. "

" Fired " by your doctor?

The bill has been endorsed by the Washington State Medical Association

and the Washington Academy of Family Physicians.

Legislators appeared concerned about one claim by opponents: that doctors

asked to sign statements by vaccine-refusing parents would refuse or

would " fire " their patients.

Ezra Eickmeyer, representing the National Vaccine Information Center, an

anti-vaccine group, noted a 2001 survey in which 23 percent of

pediatricians said they " always " or " sometimes " tell

vaccine-refusing parents they no longer can be the child's

doctor.

Dr. Steve Albrecht, president of the Washington Academy of Family

Physicians, said doctors differ: " I know some docs who are very

flexible and available and adaptable about altering the vaccine regimen,

and others who will say 'I don't want to work with you.' "

In general, doctors support vaccines because they have studied the

research, and they want " what's good for patients, " Albrecht

said.

He said parents such as Belkin who don't vaccinate their children are

taking advantage of the broad immunity that results from most parents

complying with the law.

Belkin " shouldn't make too strong a case or the herd immunity will

go away. "

Carol M. Ostrom: 206-464-2249

or costrom@...

Rep. Barbara , R-Oak Harbor, and Sen. Keiser, D-Kent,

sponsored the vaccine bill.

Related

Information

The bills: House Bill 1015 and Senate Bill 5005, now ESB 5005:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

Vaccines required for school or day care in Washington

state:

www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools/vaccine.htm

Centers for Disease Control vaccine recommendations:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm

SEND IN YOUR RESPECTFUL COMMENTS

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start March 4