On Child Vaccination, AMA Considers End To Personal, Religious Exemptions
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Key groups within the American Medical Association’s governing
body want the nation’s largest doctor group to help bring an end to
“personal belief” and religious exemptions that doctors say undermine
“population immunity” and put public health at risk.
The AMA, meeting through Wednesday in Chicago for its annual policy-making House of Delegates meeting, could add an influential voice to the growing chorus of public health advocates and state legislatures getting rid of opt-outs for vaccinations for school entry when students start kindergarten.
“Our AMA (should) provide materials on vaccine efficacy to states, and encourage them to eliminate philosophical and religious exemptions from state immunization requirements,” a resolution introduced today by the American Association of Public Health Physicians said.
There are several resolutions before the AMA in regard to exemptions from immunization. Should the AMA’s House of Delegates adopt new policy on vaccinations, it would become part of the lobbying agenda for the nation’s largest doctor group in states across the country as well as Washington on federal policy.
“Nationwide, about 1.7% of kindergarten-age children have religious
or philosophical exemptions to mandatory immunization,” a joint report
from the AMA councils on science and public health and ethical and
judicial affairs said. “Forty-eight states allow religious exemption.
Nineteen states also allow ‘personal belief’ exemption.”
AMA members in favor of ending exemptions say people who decide not to get immunized put others at risk as well as themselves and healthcare workers. In parts of Los Angeles County , rates for children who don’t get vaccinated for measles and other diseases are at 20% or higher, a doctor from southern California testified at an AMA panel.
The AMA meeting runs through Wednesday in Chicago. A vote on immunization policy, which is one of dozens of votes that will be taken, could come as early as Monday.
The AMA, meeting through Wednesday in Chicago for its annual policy-making House of Delegates meeting, could add an influential voice to the growing chorus of public health advocates and state legislatures getting rid of opt-outs for vaccinations for school entry when students start kindergarten.
“These exemptions are used for convenience,”
said Dr. James Felsen, an AMA alternate delegate and public health
physician from West Virginia, which doesn’t allow religious or personal
exemptions. “It’s such a no brainer. You’re protecting the kid next to you.”
The measure comes in the wake of a highly publicized outbreak of
measles at Disneyland last December that sickened more than 130
Californians. Though California lawmakers are pushing for an end to opt-outs from vaccinations, the state remains among 19 that have so-called “personal belief” exemptions, an AMA report said.“Our AMA (should) provide materials on vaccine efficacy to states, and encourage them to eliminate philosophical and religious exemptions from state immunization requirements,” a resolution introduced today by the American Association of Public Health Physicians said.
There are several resolutions before the AMA in regard to exemptions from immunization. Should the AMA’s House of Delegates adopt new policy on vaccinations, it would become part of the lobbying agenda for the nation’s largest doctor group in states across the country as well as Washington on federal policy.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 26: A children’s
doctor injects a vaccine against measles, rubella, mumps and chicken pox
to an infant on February 26, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. The city of
Berlin is facing an outbreak of measles that in recent weeks has led to
over 700 cases and one confirmed death of a little boy who had not been
vaccinated. Vaccination in Germany is not compulsory by law though the
vast majority of parents have their children vaccinated. (Photo by Sean
Gallup/Getty Images)
AMA members in favor of ending exemptions say people who decide not to get immunized put others at risk as well as themselves and healthcare workers. In parts of Los Angeles County , rates for children who don’t get vaccinated for measles and other diseases are at 20% or higher, a doctor from southern California testified at an AMA panel.
The AMA meeting runs through Wednesday in Chicago. A vote on immunization policy, which is one of dozens of votes that will be taken, could come as early as Monday.
(via forbes) Key groups within the American Medical Association’s governing body want the nation’s largest doctor group to help bring an end to “personal belief” and religious exemptions that doctors say undermines “population immunity” and put public health at risk.
The AMA, meeting through Wednesday in Chicago for its annual policy-making House of Delegates meeting, could add an influential voice to the growing chorus of public health advocates and state legislatures getting rid of opt-outs for vaccinations for school entry when students start Kindergarten.
They go on to blame the Disney Land “outbreak” whereas barely over 100 kids got measles and no injuries or deaths occurred. They want to launch an all out campaign on matters of personal and parental rights.
“Our AMA (should) provide materials on vaccine efficacy to states, and encourage them to eliminate philosophical and religious exemptions from state immunization requirements,…”
Those who support this move should really consider the larger picture. What if Monsanto buys off your precious AMA and then they decided that everyone should be forced to eat GMO diets? You CHOOSE what goes into your body, or your child’s body, on a daily basis. You CHOOSE if you want your child to be vegan, or to avoid dairy, or to eat chopped up pasta, but now the Government will CHOOSE for you what chemicals the Government wants to inject into your child.
How can anyone not object to this matter?