I heard that there is a philosophical exemption underway here. Someone sent this out through HMN last week...
"A philosophical exemption bill has just been sponsored in the
Assembly. Please take a moment to write to your Assembly people
asking them to co-sponsor this legislation. It is important to write
a letter and also send an e-mail. If you can schedule a meeting that
is even better. Also be sure to thank Doherty and Merkt for getting
the ball rolling. You can find your local legisaltors on the website
listed below. Following the article is the bill number. It also
doesn't hurt to ask your Senator to co-sponsor the Senate version.
Our postcards and letters are having an effect.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/
Bill would let parents opt kids out of shots
Not just a religious option. Assemblyman Doherty's bill would change
vaccination rules.
Friday, March 09, 2007
By Trish G. Graber
The Express-Times
TRENTON | A local lawmaker wants to give parents the ability to keep
their children from receiving vaccines required for school admission
but only if they object due their beliefs.
Current law allows an exemption based only on medical or religious
reasons.
But Assemblyman Michael Doherty, R-Warren/Hunterdon, thinks a
philosophical objection should be reason enough and has introduced
legislation to make that the case.
"This bill will ensure that the government cannot impose its will,
and its health care agenda, on the children of New Jersey under
penalty of not admitting them to New Jersey schools," he said.
The measure comes amid a national debate spurred by Texas Gov. Rick
Perry, who mandated on Feb. 2 that all middle-school-age girls in his
state be vaccinated for a sexually transmitted disease, the human
papillomavirus, by the start of the 2008 school year. The mandate
included an opt-out clause for religious beliefs or "reasons of
conscience," which a parent must apply for, according to his
executive order.
New Jersey has not considered such a mandate, but Doherty said he
wants to pass legislation to safeguard against any future
requirements. The measure would also apply to vaccinations currently
mandated, such as measles and mumps.
Opponents of the HPV vaccine have said the requirement could
encourage promiscuity and that it oversteps parental authority. They
also argue it would subject children to a vaccine with little known
long-term effects.
HPV, which causes genital warts, has been linked to cervical cancer.
The vaccine, called Gardasil, is produced by Hunterdon County-based
Merck & Co., which last month discontinued lobbying efforts to
require the vaccine in other states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine
for girls ages 11 through 12 but says it can be given to girls as
young as 9 years old. The vaccine protects against four types of HPV,
which cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers, according to the
CDC.
The measure is sponsored by Doherty and Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-
Morris. An identical bill was introduced in the Senate in March 2006
and referred to the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens
Committee.
Trish G. Graber is Trenton correspondent for The Express-Times. She
can be reached at 609-292-5154. 1/3/à=(( I_5 1/3/à=((
© 2007 The Express Times
© 2007 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
Sue Collins
Co-Founder
New Jersey Alliance for Informed Choice in Vaccination, NJAICV"
