Lawmakers take up bill to allow fewer vaccination exemptions

OLYMPIA — Personal or philosophical opposition to vaccines would not be an authorized exemption for the parents of school-age children under a measure that received a public hearing before a House committee on Tuesday.

More than a dozen parents spoke against the bill, sponsored by Rep. June Robinson, D-Everett, that would strip the personal beliefs exemption from the state’s immunization law.

Nearly every parent who spoke had the same message: They must be allowed to choose the course of care for their children free of government coercion.

“Please leave the health care decisions to families,” Ziggy Siegfried of Spokane told members of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.

Josh Swenson of Tumwater said House Bill 2009 “takes away my rights as a parent to protect my children. You cannot force me to hurt my child.”

Ralph Munro, a former Secretary of State, backed the bill. He told lawmakers he helped write the state’s first vaccination law in 1979 “but it has not been enough.”

“Many people today do not realize how dangerous measles can be,” he said. “Every unvaccinated child is a health risk to our community.”

The state Department of Health requires children attending public schools to be vaccinated against infectious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, polio and whooping cough. They also can enroll if they show proof of acquired immunity to the diseases.

National immunization data from 2013 show 71 percent of Washington children between 19 and 35 months old have received all of their shots on time.

Under state law, parents or guardians can obtain a vaccination exemption for medical, personal or religious beliefs. Washington is one of 20 states which allow for an exemption on philosophical grounds, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures

Robinson’s bill would remove that personal belief allowance, which she said makes it too easy for parents to not think about the effect that they’re having on the community. The committee could vote on the bill as early as Wednesday.

Robinson, who works for King County Public Health, acted in response to the measles outbreak that has sickened more than 100 people across the U.S., including in Washington, and in Mexico. No deaths have been reported.

The bill has 27 sponsors and is backed by Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Medical Association.

“Immunizations are safe and effective and save millions of lives,” Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state’s chief health officer, said at the hearing.

Yet, she said, there are schools where the exemption rate is 30 percent to 40 percent and that makes them “tinder boxes” for the potential spread of infectious diseases.

Several parents questioned the safety of vaccines, sharing stories of how their children received vaccinations against one disease only to fall ill from another disease.

“Yes, disease has risk but every vaccine has risks too,” said Audrey Adams of Renton.

Following the hearing, Robinson said the testimony of parents didn’t lessen her resolve. She said she is confident the bill will move forward without changes.

“Most parents want to do the right thing. Most parents immunize their children,” she said. Many of the issues parents talked about in the hearing she said she thought would qualify under the law’s medical exemption.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.