Vermont Agencies Attempting to Compel Mandatory Vaccination?

Vermont Department of Health took comment about “Immunization Regulations” from many parents, citizens and healthcare providers who are concerend about the state’s use of power to compel mandatory vaccinations. Two common issues were cited: coercion and misleading messages.

View the video here.

News coverage:

– “First Amendment rights cited in objection to new vaccine exemption form; lawyer warns parents might sue state” – VTDigger

– “Foes of mandatory vaccination speak out at hearing today; Critics of a law on child immunization say the state gives parents misleading information” – BFP

Read written comments submitted by:

– Vermont Coalition for Vaccine Choice
– Dr. Heather Rice

This public hearing was significant, because it represented a change: Vermonters expressing their concerns to the agency which wields all the power, and which is attempting to shape vaccination policy against the will of many in a power grab.

You see, the “Vermont Vaccine Bill” was NOT introduced for the well being of Vermonters. It was pre-planned, introduced and argued for Christine Finley, Harry Chen, members of the AAP and Pfizer lobbyists. It is disturbing because, much as we like Peter Shumlin, it was Shumlin’s own Health Commissioner Harry Chen and Chen’s own Health Department, in cahoots with medical trade organizations which have conflicts of interest, and their lobbyists planned, orchestrated and supported removing our right to say no to vaccines; Shumlin’s Education Commissioner Vilaseca who this summer then used his position of power to take a public stance against the upheld philosophical exemption. In summary, members of the Shumlin administration started a baseless attack against Vermonter’s inalienable right to decide what we inject into our bodies – or by extension the bodies of our children; and they seem to be committed to continuing their efforts.

Governor Shumlin graciously met with us in Spring of 2012 and said that he wanted to “start with more education, to separate the myths that you read about on the Internet with the facts that health care providers will give you on this.” But, as someone who has truly done their homework on vaccines, you already know that healthcare providers often know less than informed parents. For some reason this bill had to go through. Could not be killed. And in the end, the “education” produced by Shumlin’s administration has proven to be coercive, biased, inaccurate and inadequate. The final statute was voted on and signed, even though it came along with unconstitutional language in it. We raised concerns to Shumlin about the unconstitutionality of the law, and his office assured us their attorney would look at it.

But then the unconstitutional statute was signed into law anyhow. Which now means we must either overturn it in court, or open everything back up for “fixing” in the coming session. Was this is a simple mistake?

It is sad that this is our response to Vermont’s third death after vaccination last year (Kaylynne Matten). We are asking folks to take one for the greater good (see George Till’s claim of herd riders). While VT Health Commissioner Chen was quoted as saying, “Of course, it’s important for parents to understand the risks and benefits, and I have absolute respect for their right to make their own decisions,” This was clearly doublespeak, the likes of which we cannot and should not support any more.

Vermont vaccination rates for 2011-2012 school year have been published on the VT Health Department website and guess what? They show rates are increasing – not decreasing – as lawmakers, the media and the general public were told by health officials during the unprecedented and regressive bid to remove Vermont’s philosophical vaccine exemption last spring.

It is time for a new approach, and truthful data, with the needs and wants of local Vermonters at the center of legislative policy. We welcome in legislators, new and old into our state house, the People’s House. Let us hope that this year, Vermont will pay closer attention to the truth and to what is best for the people of this great state. This hearing was one step in making our voices heard.