Latest news with #TerriBurke
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas House pushes bill that threatens vaccine safeguards amid measles outbreak
May 12—AUSTIN — The Texas House of Representatives is considering advancing House Bill 1586 (HB 1586), a dangerous proposal that would lead to more unvaccinated children in schools — just as the state faces a deadly measles outbreak. As of last week, the bill has been placed on the General State Calendar and is headed for a vote by the full House. The Immunization Partnership (TIP) strongly opposes HB 1586 because it poses a direct threat to the health of children, immunocompromised individuals, the elderly and communities across Texas. Both confirmed childhood deaths and the majority of hospitalizations in the current measles outbreak have occurred among unvaccinated children. HB 1586 goes against the views of most Texans, who support strong vaccine requirements to protect public health. "This bill is a clear danger to the safety of our communities," Terri Burke, executive director of The Immunization Partnership, said in a news release. "Rolling back protections in the middle of an outbreak is reckless. Once again, the Legislature is ignoring the will of its constituents. More people testified against this bill in committee than testified for it, and 72 percent of the written comments opposed it. It's fair to ask: Who are lawmakers really listening to?" School vaccine exemptions in Texas have more than doubled since 2018. HB 1586 would only accelerate this trend by removing guardrails to protect children, increasing the risk of future outbreaks. If the public wants to help stop HB 1586 and protect children's health, they can contact their Texas state representative through an electronic form at
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Immunization Partnership response to Gaines County measles outbreak
Feb. 13—A news release said the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports (as of Feb 12): — 24 cases of measles confirmed in Gaines County/All cases are among unvaccinated individuals — Age breakdown: 0-4 years (6 cases), 5-17 years (16 cases), 18+ years (2 cases) — 9 hospitalizations — DSHS has also confirmed measles cases in Terry County (exact number unknown). Gaines County has one of the lowest childhood vaccination rates in Texas. In the 2023-2024 school year, Gaines County had the lowest kindergarten MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination rate (81.97%) among several West Texas counties, significantly trailing behind Lubbock (92.95%), Ector (Odessa) (91.28%), and Midland (94.77%). At least 95% vaccination coverage is needed to prevent measles outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations (CDC, WHO). The Immunization Partnership's (TIP) Response to the Outbreak TIP is dedicated to protecting communities by promoting vaccine education and access, and is working with local health departments in West Texas to spread the word that: — Families should check their children's vaccination status immediately. — Parents should call their doctor or pediatrician if their child shows symptoms or visit their doctor or local clinic if they need vaccine. — Families should contact their county health agency for more information: — South Plains Public Health District (Gaines, Yoakum, Terry, and Dawson Counties) — Clinics in Seminole, LaMesa, Denver City, Brownfield — 800-360-6510 / — City of Lubbock Public Health Department — (806) 775-2933 — The City of Lubbock Public Health Department is hosting a free drive-up measles-mumpsrubella vaccine clinic this Thursday and next Tuesday through Thursday. — TIP is supporting outreach by providing flyers for schools and churches and distributing digital materials to raise awareness about vaccines and the symptoms of measles in Gaines County and West Texas. A West Texas school or church needing these electronic resources should contact [email protected] or call 281-400-3689 / press 5. From TIP Executive Director Terri Burke: As an organization dedicated to protecting school vaccine requirements, we are deeply concerned by this outbreak and are wishing the children and families involved a full and swift recovery. Measles isn't just a rash — it can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, and even death, especially in young children. The MMR vaccine has been used for decades, is proven safe, and protects not just your child but everyone around them. As lawmakers attempt to weaken school vaccine requirements and misinformation leads more parents to opt out of vaccinating their children across the state, our children's safety is at risk, increasing the chances of deadly outbreaks that disrupt families and close classrooms. Texans take care of Texans, and strong immunization policies ensure that every child has the freedom to learn in a safe and healthy environment, free from preventable diseases that should have been left in the past.
