New vaccination law worries health officials

July 3, 2003

FROM WFAA.COM Dallas/Ft. Worth, TexasNew vaccination law worries health officialsHouse bill makes it easier for parents to decline immunizations for children07/02/2003By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA-TVThousands of parents beat the school-year rush to get their childrenimmunized.However, many parents haven't heard of a new law that makes it easier todecline vaccinations.Sheryl Weaver is one parent who believes a little pain now is worth theyears of protection vaccinations will give her daughter Bailey."I think it's important other mothers do it, because my child plays withthem, and I don't want her to get anything to jeopardize her health," Weaversaid.However, an amendment added to a bill on the last day of the TexasLegislature's recent regular session will allow parents to choose whether tovaccinate their children.Currently, immunizations are required before children

start school.Exemptions are only given for religious reasons, or when a doctor determinesthe vaccination itself could be harmful.But, under House Bill 2292, parents can now decline immunizations for theirchild "for reasons of conscience.""Parents who don't feel necessarily comfortable about getting immunizationsmay find it easier to simply get a form from the Texas Department of Healthand not have their children immunized," said Keller pediatrician Jason Terk.That has Terk concerned about the consequences to his patients, as well asto the public."The more children who are unimmunized or not completely immunized, the morerisk we have of getting vaccine-preventable diseases like measles andpertussis break out in the community," Terk said.Those who fought hard for the amendment, including the organization PROVE(Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education), call the new law a victory.In a statement, PROVE

said, "At a time when physicians and vaccinemanufacturers have lobbied for further release of liability from the harmthey do, parents in Texas are grateful to have gained control over whichvaccine risks their children will take."The Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society both "opposeconscientious objection to vaccinations." Tarrant County health officialsfear parents who typically wait until the last minute to immunize theirchildren will use the new rule as an excuse to decline vaccinating at all."We don't know how it will play out completely, but that is a concern hereat Public Health," said Ann Salyer Caldwell of the Tarrant County HealthDepartment.Weaver chooses to have her daughter vaccinated, but other Texas parents willhave the option to make a different choice next year.Parents would be required to get a health department document notarizedbefore opting out of

vaccinations.--Online at:http://www.wfaa.com/latestnews/stories/wfaa030701_am_vaccinations.499abf32.html=============================================News@... is a free service of the National Vaccine InformationCenter and is supported through membership donations. Learn more about vaccines, diseases and how to protect your informed consent rights http://www.909shot.comBecome a member and support NVIC's work https://www.909shot.com/order.htmTo sign up for a free e-mail subscription http://www.909shot.com/emaillist.htm karl theis jrvideo field reporterwww.RealityExpander.com Ch.10 TimeWarnerAustin,Texas cell 512 297-9875e-mail: theis888 www.exposureofthetruth.isfamous.com

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