2 days ago
Should Massachusetts keep religious exemptions to vaccine mandates?
BOSTON (WWLP) – Passionate testimony rang out in the State House on Friday from parents, children, and physicians on both sides of the vaccine mandates for school children debate.
The State House's public health committee heard testimony on multiple vaccine bills, including an extremely contentious piece of legislation that would eliminate religious exemptions to vaccine mandates in schools. Proponents of this bill see it as a way to close a loophole and keep kids safe in schools.
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One doctor told 22News that she wants to work with families to ensure they feel comfortable with vaccines, while still pushing to ensure all children are protected. 'We know that children need a cocoon of immunity around them, whether they're infants, or in kindergarten, or in sixth grade,' said Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, a pediatrician.
For every enthusiastic advocate for getting rid of the religious exemption, there was an equally passionate advocate to keep it. These parents and doctors testified that disallowing parents from choosing to exempt their children from vaccination is a violation of their freedoms, and only serves to keep deserving children out of school.
'Public health policy should support and empower, not harm and humiliate,' said Dr. Sylvia Fogle, a psychiatrist.
Those speaking against the bills say the total harm of their passage would far outweigh their speculative benefit. Those who testified pro-vaccine say that claim is based on misinformation.
The conversation around vaccine exemptions is especially relevant as the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services has voiced consistent support for getting rid of mandates.
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