Alert: Possible Immunization Exemption Amendment to Omnibus Education Bill
Dear WV Immunization Network members and partners,
It has come to our attention that there is a plan to amend the omnibus education bill to allow nonmedical exemptions (religious, conscientious, personal objection, etc.) to school immunization requirements this evening at 6pm.
CALL TO ACTION: Please email members of the WV House of Delegates immediately with the following message:
Dear Honorable Delegate (insert legislator’s name),
I am emailing to ask that you vote against any amendments to education reform bills that will allow nonmedical exemptions (religious, conscientious, personal objection) to school immunization requirements.
Our current school immunization requirements are working: West Virginia’s school immunization requirements are protecting our communities from the measles outbreaks that are currently in 28 states. Do not weaken this effective public health policy!
This is what West Virginia is doing right and it shows. West Virginia has one of the strongest school immunization requirements in the nation and we want to keep it that way. Vaccine-preventable diseases can be devastating to our children, our schools and our communities, in addition to being very costly to the state. (Please make sure to personalize this part…) As a parent/healthcare provider/teacher/religious leader/constituent, I ask you to vote AGAINST any amendments to education reform bills that will allow nonmedical exemptions to immunization requirements.
Sincerely,
Name
Please feel free to forward this communication on to anyone who is interested in protecting our school immunization requirements.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Elaine
Elaine Darling, MPH
Senior Program Manager, WV Immunization Network
The Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.
75 Chase Dr.
Hurricane, WV 25526
(O) 304-397-4071
(F) 304-397-4076