Sample Letter in Support of AB 2109 (Pan)

[Date]

Honorable [name]

California State Sensate

State Capitol

10th & L Streets

Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator [name]:

RE: Support for AB 2109 (Pan): Vaccine-Preventable Disease

The <insert name of organization > is in strong support of AB 2109 (Pan) which has the goal of improving childhood immunization rates in California and protecting children and our communities from disease and death resulting from vaccine-preventable illness. Specifically, AB 2109 would improve the process of obtaining a Personal Belief Exemption (PBE) to vaccine requirements for school entry, while still permitting parents the option to choose not to vaccinate their child.

California is one of only 20 states that allow use of a PBE, as opposed to medical or religious exemption, for vaccine requirements. Presently, a family may obtain a PBE at the school site when registering a child for school simply by signing a form. The ease with which parents can obtain a PBE may lead some to take an exemption out of convenience rather than true opposition to vaccination. Data from a 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that the ease of obtaining a non-medical exemption from immunizations is associated with significantly increased rates of exemptions and vaccine-preventable diseases.

AB 2109 would still permit parents to choose a personal belief exemption, but would require that a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, physician assistant or Naturopathic doctor (under the supervision of a licensed physician to sign a form or letter stating that they informed the parent or guardian of the benefits and risks of immunization. This requirement would support informed decision-making, while still protecting parents’ rights to make the final decision regarding vaccination. The health care provider who signs the form is only asked to document that they have informed the parent/guardian about the risks and benefits of vaccines--not to endorse or approve the parent/guardian’s decision to leave their child unvaccinated.

According to the 2010 National Immunization Survey, only 71% of three-year-old children in California had received the most important recommended vaccinations against diseases such as polio, tetanus, and measles. As a result, vaccine-preventable diseases are making a comeback. In 2008, a San Diego outbreak of 12 measles cases and more than 800 exposures was traced to an intentionally unvaccinated child. In 2010 the statewide pertussis (“whooping cough”) epidemic affected thousands of children and adults, and claimed 10 infant lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the 2009-10 school years, more than 10,000 kindergarteners in California were under vaccinated because of PBEs, representing a 25% increase over the previous two school years. Although the overall number of California children entering school with PBEs is small (less than 3%), our concern is the trend and exemption rates in some California communities are significantly higher, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. This poses a health risk not only for individual children but for the entire community.

AB 2109 would increase protection for our children and communities from vaccine-preventable disease, while still respecting and preserving parent choice. Thank you for your leadership on behalf of children and the health of all Californians.Add your contact information and any local information that will help your representative understand the impact of PBE’s on your community.

Sincerely,

[name]