Parents troubled by bill to tighten up immunization exemptions
Legislation that would clarify what constitutes a legal exemption under the New Jersey’s school immunization law was approved by the state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee Thursday after nearly three-hours of contentious testimony. The bill now goes to the full Senate for a floor vote.
The legislation, S1759, with amendments, was approved by 6-2 vote after about a dozen people spoke, mostly against the bill saying parents have a right to opt out of child immunization. The law would require documentation when a parent wants to exempt a student from mandatory immunizations for either medical or religious reasons. The bill to strengthen New Jersey’s existing immunization policy was introduced after an outbreak of whooping cough this year. (Kalet, NJ Spotlight)
Unvaccinated humans provide diseases increased opportunities to spread with resulting death and injury to others. People who invoke “parental tights” to avoid routine vaccinations harm us all. In this case, we’re really “all in this together”. Those who are non-compliant for non-religious reasons are stupid at best; destructive at worst.