Coalition writes KY Senate with concerns about vaccine opt-out bill

A coalition of 40 organizations from across Kentucky, including a number of medical associations as well as the KY Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to members of the Kentucky Senate explaining their opposition to Senate Bill 8. This bill would make it easier for Kentuckians, including children, to opt out of vaccinations, and would expand existing exemptions. It does not address just concerns with COVID vaccinations, but all vaccinations.

The letter follows.

Dear Senators:

The undersigned organizations are writing today to express our opposition to SB 8. If enacted, it would put Kentuckians at serious risk of preventable diseases and represents a significant step backwards for public health.

Legislative efforts related to vaccines should focus on extending protection from these preventable diseases and their potential impact on all Kentuckians. The Legislature serves a critical function in passing laws to protect the citizens of Kentucky. Decisions to change the immunization laws should be held to the highest standards of evidence-based scientific deliberation. Our concern is that SB 8 has broad overreaching implications and would result in unintended negative health impacts to all Kentuckians, especially our school-age children and those who are immunocompromised.

Kentucky’s school entry requirements allow for freedom of choice by offering medical and religious exemptions. However, the choice to delay or reject some vaccines entirely is not just a personal decision. When we choose to not receive vaccines or vaccinate our children, we put ourselves and others in our community at serious risk for preventable disease. Putting others, such as those who are immunocompromised or too young to receive vaccines, at risk for vaccine-preventable disease arguably presents a challenge to their personal freedom to go to the store, to school, or anywhere else they come into contact with their community without the possibility of contracting a dangerous, preventable illness. All Kentuckians deserve the right to freedom from preventable infectious diseases.

Immunizations have led to steep decreases and eradication of many significant infectious diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, pertussis, and haemophilus influenza type B (Hib). Immunizations are our best protection against preventable disease and can help Kentuckians live longer, healthier lives. We urge you to oppose SB 8, and stand ready to help in any discussion of legislation to strengthen immunizations and to share our knowledge on this important topic.

Thank you,