NVIC Vaccine News

Vermont Parents Fight to Save Philosophical Exemption to Vaccination

By Barbara Loe Fisher
Published February 21, 2012 in Government


 
Informed consent to medical risk taking is a human right.1 You have the right to be fully informed about the benefits and risks of pharmaceutical products – like vaccines - and be allowed to make a voluntary choice about whether or to take the risk without being punished for it.
 
More than $2 billion dollars has been awarded to children and adults in America, who have been seriously injured by vaccines. 2
 

Vaccine Risks Are Greater For Some Than Others

 
We are not all the same. People are injured or die from vaccination because vaccine risks are greater for some than others 3 4 5 6 7 and sometimes vaccines fail to work at all. That is a big reason why there are vaccine exemptions in state public health laws for medical, religious and conscientious or philosophical beliefs. 8
 

Vermont Philosophical Exemption Threatened

 
But in Vermont – right now – the legal right to take a vaccine exemption for philosophical beliefs is being threatened.
 
Two Vermont legislators, State Senator Kevin Mullin and State Representative George Till, have joined with the Vermont Health Commissioner, Dr. Harry Chen, to lead a crusade to take away philosophical exemption to vaccination with two bills before the state House and Senate - S. 199 and H. 527.9 10 11 12
 
Seven-Year Old Kaylynne Dies After Routine Flu Shot
 
Nicole is a Vermont mother, whose seven year old daughter, Kaylynne, died within 92 hours of a routine flu shot in December 2011. 13
 
“Kaylynne was very outgoing. She was shy but she made herself known. She loved hugs. She loved every kind of animal. She was always trying to get her Dad to bring animals to take care of and nurture. She loved her brother and sisters. She was Miss Mom to her little sisters. She was Nate’s best friend. They did a lot together outdoors. She was a wild girl. She wasn’t really scared of anything. She was very, very intelligent. She means the world to our family,” said Nicole.
 
Nicole described what happened the day Kaylynne died.
 
“She was a healthy seven year old child before her flu shot. She went from being very healthy, nothing wrong with her, to passing away 92 hours later. First, was a headache. Then there was a fever. After the fever, she started getting sick to her stomach, throwing up. And the, she was cold and she had purple blotches on her arms and legs. We rushed her to the doctor’s office. I was in the back seat with her. My mother was driving and she stopped breathing probably less than a mile away from the hospital. If I would have known then what I know now about vaccination, it would have been a whole different story. My daughter would still be here with us.”
  

More Informed Vaccine Choices Needed, Says Kaylynne’s Mom

 
Nicole believes that parents should be fully informed and able to make voluntary decisions about vaccination for their children.
 
“If I would have known the reactions and symptoms of adverse reactions to vaccination, I would have had her seen immediately. If I would have known about the risks and symptoms, I would have been most likely able to save my daughter,” said Nicole. “I feel that Vermonters need to be educated and be able to make their own decisions on whether or not they want to vaccinate their children and pediatricians and physicians, as well, need to be more educated.”
 

VT Health Commissioner & Pharma Funded Orgs Lobbying Legislators

 
The Vermont State Health Commissioner agrees. He told one reporter: “Of course, it’s important for parents to understand the risks and benefits, and I have absolute respect for their right to make their own decisions.” 14
 
Then, why is he joining with medical trade organizations funded by vaccine manufacturers, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, 15 16 17 18 19 and trying to take away the right for Vermont parents to make their own vaccine decisions? 20  Especially when the state of Vermont is rated the Number One healthiest state? 21
 

Parental Informed Consent Rights Protect Children

 
If the philosophical exemption to vaccination is removed from Vermont state law, Nicole and parents like Nicole will have no choice.
 
Kaylynne’s Dad, Justin, said “I feel strongly about protecting my children because, as parents, we should have the right to do the best for our kids.” Nicole added, “If I can’t get a medical signature from a medical physician to do an exemption for philosophical rights, my other children are at risk and that takes my rights as a mother away to protect my children.”
 
Vaccine Business A Multi-Billion Dollar Business
 
Today, the federal government recommends that children get 69 doses of 16 vaccines from day of birth to age 18. Most of these vaccines are required for children to attend school in the state of Vermont.
 
The vaccine business is a multi-billion dollar big business. 22 23 24 There are hundreds of new vaccines being created by drug companies 25 26 27 and most of these new vaccines will be federally recommended for children, like Syphilis Vaccine, 28 Gonorrhea Vaccine, 29 Genital Herpes Vaccine,30 Hepatitis C  Vaccine, 31 E-Coli Vaccine, 32 Salmonella Vaccine, 33 Chlamydia Vaccine, 34 Cytomegalovirus Vaccine; 35 HIV/AIDS Vaccine, 36 Tooth Decay Vaccine; 37 Anti-Smoking Vaccine, 38 Anti-Cocaine Addiction Vaccine; 39 40 Bad Breath Vaccine; 41 Diabetes Vaccine; 42 Asthma Vaccine, 43 Norovirus Vaccine 44 and many, many more.
 
In the future, the state of Vermont could add 10, 20, 30 or more vaccinations to state public health laws.
 
Should every vaccine that Big Pharma creates and doctors want legislators to mandate be legally required for all children without parents being informed and allowed to make a voluntary choice?
 

Vermont Parents Plead for Opposition to Proposed Legislation

 
Vermont families want options, especially when the risks of vaccination for their child turn out to be 100 percent.
 
Nicole and Justin are appealing to parents and Vermont legislators.
 
“Do your research on what is in vaccinations,” said Nicole. “Find out symptoms and reactions and then make your own decision. As of this moment, Vermonters have to fight to protect their right to be able to make their own decisions to protect their children. We are asking for the legislators to please oppose S. 199 and H. 527 to take away our philosophical exemption.”
 
“We, as Americans, should have our choice,” said Justin.
 
Fight for Right to Make Voluntary Vaccine Decisions
 
Help fight for the right to make voluntary decisions about vaccination in Vermont and every state. Go to www.NVICAdvocacy.org and take action today.
 
It’s your health.  Your family.  Your choice.
 
 

References:


1 Nir E. Informed Consent. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Fall 2011 Edition.
4 Howson CP, Howe CJ, Fineberg HV, Editors. Adverse Effects of Pertussis & Rubella Vaccines. Institute of Medicine: National Academy Press. 1991. 
5 Stratton KR, Howe CJ, Johnston RB, Editors. Adverse Events Associated with Childhood Vaccines: Evidence Bearing on Causality. Institute of Medicine: National Academy Press.1994
6 Stratton KR, Howe CJ, Johnston RB, Editors. DPT Vaccine & Chronic Nervous System Dysfunction:  A New Analysis. Institute of Medicine: National Academy Press. 1994
7 Stratton K, Ford A, Rusch E, Clayton EW, editors. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Institute of Medicine: National Academies Press. 2011. Pages 70-78.
9 Vermont State Senate Bill 199. Statement of Purpose: This bill proposes to extend the termination date of the immunization pilot program and remove the exemption from immunization on philosophical grounds.    
10 Vermont State House Bill 527. An Act related to requiring immunizations for attendance at school and childcare facilities.    
13 Cleveland J.H. Medical Examiner Can’t Determine Manner of 7-Year Old’s Death. The Orleans Record. Feb. 21, 2012.  
15 Attkisson S. How Independent Are Vaccine Defenders? CBS News. July 25, 2008.  
16 Orange County Register. CORRECTION re: August 4, 2008 article “Dr. Paul Offit Responds.” April 18, 2011.
17 Center for Science in the Public Interest. Integrity in Science: Non-Profit Organizations Receiving Corporate Funding: American Academy of Pediatrics
18 Clapp R. My Turn: Immunizations: Critical Protection for State’s Families. Burlington Free Press. Feb. 19, 2012.   
19 Center for Science in the Public Interest. Integrity in Science: Non-Profit Organizations Receiving Corporate Funding: March of Dimes.  
21 United Health Foundation. America’s Health Rankings: Vermont.  
22 Reuters. BCC Research Press Release: Global Market for Vaccines Worth $36.3 Billion by 2013. Technologies and Global Markets. Jan. 24, 2008
23  Drug Discovery & Development. Vaccine Market A Refuge for Big Pharma. January 13, 2011
27 Mettens P, Monteyne. Life-Style Vaccines. British Medical Bulletin 2002; 62(1): 175-186.  
28 NewsRx/Vaccine Weekly. Syphilis Vaccine: Antibody Partially Protects Against Syphilis. June 29, 2005.   
29 Health.am. Progress Made Toward Gonorrhea Vaccines. Drug News. July 19, 2005.    
30 Science Daily. Progress Made Toward a Genital Herpes Vaccine. Jan. 4, 2012.    
31 Medical News Today. Hep C Vaccine Shows Promise in First Trial. Jan. 7, 2012.   
33 Fierce Vaccines. Research Paving Way to Salmonella Vaccine.  Feb. 16, 2012.  
35 Lite J. CMV Vaccine Shows Promise. Scientific American. May 18, 2009.  
36 Robinson HL. Progress Toward An HIV/AIDS Vaccine. The Scientist. May 11, 2011.  
37 Shivakumar KM, Vidya SK, Chandu GN. Dental Caries Vaccine. Indian Journal of Dental Research 2009; 20(1): 99-100.   
38 Straightstocks.com. Anti-Smoking Vaccine from Glaxo. Nov. 17, 2009.  
39 Kensey BM, Kosten TR, Orson FM. Anti-Cocaine Vaccine Development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2010 Sept; 9(9): 1109-14.  
40 Quenqua D. An Addiction Vaccine, Tantalyzingly Close. New York Times. Oct. 3, 2011.   
41 Liu PF, Haake SK et al. A novel vaccine targeting Fusobacterium nucleatum against abscesses and halitosis. Vaccine 209 March 4; 27(10): 1589-1595. 
42 BusinessWire. Prevention Study with Diamyd’s Diabetes Vaccine Fully Recruited. Diamyd Press Release: Jan. 9 2012.  
44 Rettner R. Norovirus Vaccine Showing Promise. MSNBC.com. Feb. 21, 2012.  

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14 Responses to "Vermont Parents Fight to Save Philosophical Exemption to Vaccination"
Commenter Name
Auntie Vac
Posted: 2/22/2012 12:48:51 PM
How can the United States be called the Land of the Free when the government can force its citizens to take toxic substances into their bodies that may kill or injure them!
Commenter Name
D
Posted: 2/22/2012 4:41:00 PM
I would be interested to know the physician's diagnosis on this child. The symptoms match those of bacterial meningitis, including the splotches on the child's legs.
Commenter Name
Rebecca Lee
Posted: 2/23/2012 6:28:35 AM
May well have been bacterial meningitis. The question would be, "What took down this child's immune system?" My grandchild was just in the PICU with HIB after a HIB vaccine. A little research and you learn that HIB vaccine can lower your immunity to the bacteria for a while after the vaccine. I'm guessing the doctor told these parents that what happened was "just a coincidence." "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it." Upton Sinclair
Commenter Name
EE
Posted: 2/23/2012 10:37:24 AM
That's rather unfortunate and my sympathies go to the child's family but considering the vast number of people vaccines have saved in comparison to the small amount they "may" have harmed, I'm still going to have to stand firmly with the vaccinated crowd.
Commenter Name
Chelsea
Posted: 2/27/2012 11:19:54 AM
Where is the proof that there is a vast amount of people who have been saved by vaccinations? Yes, I believe that vaccines are an incredible scientific invention, but haven't they gone a little too far? Shouldn't we be allowed to make our own health decisions? Shouldn't we have the choice to put monkey kidney tissue, chick embryo cells, aborted fetus tissues (thats other people's aborted babies if you don't know), mercury and other poisons and chemicals into our bodies? Go to the public health center and find these ingredients. They might be hesitant to give them to you but they are required to. That is where I got them. Then, some ingredients need to be researched through a medical dictionary because their names have changed to something we cannot recognize. Why should we take a new born child, who has not had a chance to build any kind of immune system through natural breastfeeding yet, and inject them with all of this crap that actually compromises their immune systems. Oh, and go ahead and sign a release that you hold this huge corporation who has billions of dollars harmless. No requirements to help pay for any damage they have done. Poor corporation couldn't afford it. Freedom, yea?
Commenter Name
Cassie
Posted: 2/28/2012 10:16:25 AM
If you want to "stand firm with the vaccinated crowd" that is your choice. Everyone should be allowed to make their own choice. If you decided to be vaccinated than you should not worry if someone else is not, right? It shouldn't affect you. In this case, we are talking about a flu shot. The risks of getting the flu are much less than the risks of getting the flu shot. It's just not worth it. The more we allow the government to take away our rights to chose what is best for ourselves and our families the less free we become. That is the real issue here. Not whether or not vaccines are good or bad, but taking away our right to chose all in the name of greed.
Commenter Name
michelle
Posted: 3/2/2012 3:22:51 PM
I personally have way more faith in God and the immune system he gave us. There are times when vaccines may be justified (polio anyone?), but no one should be forced.
Commenter Name
Banstan
Posted: 3/6/2012 9:15:04 PM
for that motherly iscnitnt! Nobody should act based solely on what their doctors tell them is best nor on what some celebrity has said. I would like to point out that I don't know anyone who has made the decision to not vaccinate (and I know several) that has not agonized over it I still do and my kids are 9 and 6.Like you, I went about things the accepted way with my first until various things made me start questioning. So with my second I researched (and am still researching) and decided to wait a year to do any vaccinating and then only got one at a time so it took a long time to complete that first schedule. Plus I just completely opted out of a few (and now wish I had opted out of more) and will probably forgo boosters. And, no lie, it is one confusing web of information (and lack-thereof) out there I'm left with that damned-if-I-do, damned if I don't, feeling. But I've gotten to the place where I evaluate things based on the risk of the vaccine (and it's not just concerns about the thimerisol but all the other toxins that are included and have never been tested most of the safety studies on vaccines were only performed on the biological components of the vaccines and not the adjuvant/preservative cocktail that's included) versus the risk of the disease I'd also like to point out that it is still possible to carry these diseases even though you have been vaccinated such is the case with pertussis. The problem with this is that you may be carrying (which means you can pass it on) the disease but you are unaware of it because you are not sick if you are not sick you are not taking the same kind of precautions that a sick person would, like staying home, staying away from vulnerable people, washing hands more often, etc. etc. So the idea that it's the unvaccinated population that is the sole cause of these epidemics' is kind of ridiculous.Again, thanks for taking the time to write these posts and for your level-headed views and sorry for my long-winded response
Commenter Name
VT Coalition for Vaccine Choice
Posted: 3/11/2012 6:28:36 PM
KayLynne's death certificate states "myocarditis following vaccination"
Commenter Name
Janet
Posted: 3/15/2012 8:51:51 AM
A little side note to "D's" message: At nine months of age, my oldest daughter developed bacterial meningitis but she never had splotches on her legs. I do not believe that is symptom is a reliable indicator of having had this illness.
Commenter Name
cleo
Posted: 3/15/2012 9:44:22 AM
Your body is now the property of the american government welcome to the american holocaust the nazis now are are BIG PHARMA
Commenter Name
Jennifer
Posted: 3/27/2012 12:12:58 PM
Our vaccine rights are being threatened in the State of Vermont! Please help us out by signing the petition at www.vaxchoicevt.com. Vaccines are neither 100% effective nor 100% safe and there is no way to determine who will have an adverse reaction nor how severe the reaction will be. parents have very little (or no) recourse in the event of an adverse reaction. Please stand up for parental rights and sign this petition!
Commenter Name
Carol-lee Lane
Posted: 4/8/2012 4:48:23 PM
I am a Vermont citizen and am outraged at this assault on our civil liberties. I encourage all Vermonters to voice their opposition immediately as the bill has passed the Senate and is up for approval in the House. Contact Health Care Committee chair Mike Fisher: 802-453-5517 or [email protected] . This law is not about whether immunizations are safe or beneficial for the average person or for the public as a whole. It is about the individual's right to control his or her body and what is done to it. The state does not have the right to require medical treatment where immediate public threat is not present, particularly when the treatment carries recognized health risks, including disability and death. Clearly, due diligence and research about the real risks of vaccine injury has not taken place at the legislative level. That such risks are statistically small does not change the fact that every human body is unique and physicians cannot guarantee or preclude a given outcome for any given individual. Vaccine induced disease is real, and usually quite crippling, when not fatal. Is the Vermont state legislature willing to assume all accountability and liability for the consequences of every state required vaccine administered? Of course not. They could not afford to. Pharmaceutical companies have paid out billions in legal liabilities for immunization injuries. In the face of such real risks the state does not have the right to require any individual or parent to act against their best judgment. Furthermore, Senate Bill S 199 does not address an immediate or widespread threat to Vermonter’s health. There is no dire circumstance that outweighs our traditions of civil liberties and human rights. There is no need for this bill and no moral or civic justification for the extraordinary usurpation of individual and parental rights it would impose. The shocking disregard for Vermonters' self-determination and human rights expressed by the Vermont Senate in passing this bill conveys a degree of arrogance and shallowness of thinking that is unusual here. It appears that our legislators have allowed themselves to become the playthings of corporate interventionism and alarmist propaganda. Can they really believe that we will passively accept stripping parents and adults of their right to refuse an unwanted medical procedure that carries a real risk of injury and death? To impose such a risk by state law would be an intolerable violation of human rights, and would certainly be challenged in the courts. S 199 is dangerous to the health of individuals who are immunization sensitive and violates the rights of those who decide that, for them, the benefits of immunization do not outweigh the risks. Vermonters must be free to act on our self-knowledge and conscience, especially with regards to our bodily safety and health and that of our children, and we will fight to preserve our freedom.
Commenter Name
Tracy
Posted: 4/11/2012 12:38:46 PM
This landmark case in UK applies here in the US as well, because US lawyers (esquires) and judges take an oath to the BAR - British Accreditation Registry. It states basically that ALL legislation outside of "Gods Law" is null and void, because of the oath/contract that "Queen" Elizabeth took and subscribed. Please read and share this far and wide: http://soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/content/uk-landmark-case-could-stymie-legal-system-queen-not-valid-monarch
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