The West
Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia
Department of Education support Senate Bill 286 which firms up the state’s
current immunization law, but oppose proposed House amendments.
“We
appreciate working with our partners in the West Virginia State Senate to
ensure that children are protected against serious vaccine-preventable
diseases. We strongly oppose the House amendments and consider them
unacceptable,” DHHR Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling said. “In 2013, America’s
Health Ranking ranked West Virginia as #1 in the nation for its low incidence
of infectious diseases. Immunization protects not only the child but their
family, neighbors and the entire community from diseases which are easily and
safely preventable.”
West
Virginia’s ranking as #1 in the nation for its low incidence of infectious
diseases is attributable to the state’s strong immunization laws. West
Virginia currently has some the best kindergarten immunization rates in the
nation, preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in its school and
communities. This allows for protection to medically fragile students and
staff, along with pregnant women, younger siblings and elderly family
members. Adolescent vaccination rates have more than doubled since the
rule was enacted in 2012, moving 7th and 12th students to a 99% vaccination
rate with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (Tdap) and meningitis vaccines.
“In
order to support regular school attendance, ensure reading at grade-level,
prevent added cost to education and healthcare, and assist each student in
graduating and being college and career ready, we must continue leading the
nation in the lowest incidence of infectious diseases by supporting our current
laws,” said Michael Martirano, West Virginia Superintendent of
Schools. “West Virginia has very high rates of immunization levels of
school aged children due to its policy on immunization requirements. Our
immunization laws protect children and school staff who are unable to be
vaccinated due to underlying medical conditions and allergies to vaccine
components. Any change in state law would force our education system backwards
countless years.”
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 173 people in 17 states and
the District of Columbia have become infected with measles since January 1,
2015 as a result of one outbreak in California.
“West Virginia’s current medical exemption
process is science and evidence-based and is supported by guidance from the CDC
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians,” said Dr. Rahul
Gupta, State Health Officer and Commissioner for DHHR’s Bureau for Public
Health. “The recent measles outbreak linked to Disneyland is a classic
example of diseases that are easily preventable. A national review of
sixteen measles outbreaks in the United States in 2011 found that, overall, the
total economic burden on local and state public health institutions that dealt
with measles outbreaks ranged from an estimated $2.7 million to $5.3 million.
Attempts to fix a system that is not broken by making costly changes will
affect individuals, families and society, and further has the potential to
negatively impact our economy.”
Liza Cordeiro, Dept of Education, lcordeir@k12.wv.us OR Allison Adler, DHHR, allison.c.adler@wv.gov