Oregon bill takes shot at vaccine exemptions

With measles cases spreading across the country, Oregon lawmakers are taking a shot against the virus themselves — hoping to soon make it tougher for parents to opt their children out of vaccinations.

“I’m all for freedom and personal choice — until it starts to harm other people,” said state Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, who so far supports Senate Bill 442.

The bill says parents will no longer be allowed to skip immunizing their children for religious or personal reasons if they want their students to attend school. Exemptions for medical reasons would stay in place.

Buehler, an orthopedic surgeon in Bend, said Monday lawmakers are debating whether private schools and day cares should also fall under the mandate.

The lawmaker said he doesn’t think private schools should be forced to accept the rules of the bill, if it passes. But he also said he is waiting for more information and discussion before he forms an opinion on day care facilities.

“I think the science is overwhelming right now that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks,” Buehler said.

The debate over vaccines comes at a time when 7 percent of Oregonians are unvaccinated, the highest rate in the country. In Deschutes County, the rates are even higher: 10 percent of children skipped vaccinations last year.

Buehler said the bill still allows parents to make health decisions for their children.

“They have a choice not to send their kids to public schools and to use private schools, home school, online school, or find a medical provider that will sign off on a waiver for health reasons,” Buehler said.

But some — including many debating the issues at KTVZ.COM — said the bill overextends government’s reach.

“I think that vaccinations are a very good thing, and there should be more education about it,” said Bend resident Tylor Stone. “But it’s not something that should be mandated. I think it limits the freedom of the parent.”

Another KTVZ viewer shared her opinion on NewsChannel 21’s Facebook page. Sarah Gilbert wrote:

“People aren’t losing their right to govern their own bodies, or their children’s. They are potentially losing the right to attend schools and day cares that are funded by the government, by choosing to opt out of public health precautionary measures. Makes sense to me. Choices have consequences.”

The bill is currently in the Senate committee and is expected to move into the House before the end of the month. If it passes, Oregon will join West Virginia and Mississippi as the only states allowing measles vaccine exemptions just for medical reasons.

Read more about the bill and track its progress here: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB442