I guess Rep. Eddie Farnsworth would just prefer one of Arizona’s universities or community colleges deal with a measles outbreak, so that the individual liberties of a group of people with very little medical evidence on their side are preserved. Welcome to the new session of the Arizona Legislature!
From HB 2383:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 14, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-1826, to read:
15-1826. Immunizations as a condition of admission or enrollment; prohibition
The Arizona board of regents and the community college districts in this state shall not require immunizations as a condition of admission to or enrollment in a university or community college or as a condition of admission to or enrollment in any program of study offered by a university or community college.
[HT: Craig McDermott]
This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2012.
Maybe the author should do some research before judging which side of the argument is “for” public health. Vaccination should be a choice. I, personally, would not attend nor have my children attend if they are forced to be vaccinated. Look at all the women who are having drastic reactions to Guardasil. Each person should be free to make up their own mind.
It’s Gardasil and allowing people to opt out of vaccinations poses a much greater threat to public health than the bad reactions to them (which are mostly the stuff of unsubstantiated urban legends anyway).
Those unsubstantiated urban legends have affected my direct family. And have caused the US govt to pay out many millions of dollars for adverse reactions because they gave the Pharma companies blanket protections. If I chose not to vaccinate, then it is my body or my child that is at risk. That is why I called it a “choice”. I am not telling you not vaccinate – just reserving the right not to for me and mine.
You have the choice not to vaccinate, I agree. We have the choice to protect ourselves by denying your access to places where you can spread whatever disease you acquire as a result, from spreading it to the open population. Very simple, you may have your freedom, but we get the freedom to not be infringed by it.