Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/21/1996 09:30 AM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SHES - 2/21/96 SB 185 IMMUNIZATION RECORD UPON CHILD'S DEATH CHAIRMAN GREEN introduced SB 185 as the next order of business before the committee. DR. JOHN MIDDAUGH, Epidemiology Section of the Department of Health & Social Services, pointed out that SB 185 does not specify for what purpose the information would be collected. He assumed that the information would be collected in SIDS cases and other unexplained deaths of children which could be related to vaccinations in order to illuminate these potential connections. Dr. Middaugh expressed concern about the logistics of the bill as well as the science and value of collecting such information. Many studies reviewing the association of vaccinations with SIDS and unexplained deaths in children have been performed, particularly reviewing the relationship between the administration of DPT and SIDS. Those studies have demonstrated that there is no causal relationship between a child receiving a vaccination and subsequently dying of SIDS. The logistics of collecting this information is difficult and possibly even unworkable. Dr. Middaugh informed the committee that there are 11 different standard vaccines children receive 23 separate times in their first seven years. He pointed out that children move around and go to multiple providers. Also some of the information to be collected under SB 185 is not routinely recorded on a child's vaccination record. Therefore, the ability to collect the information is questionable. Even if the information could be collected, Dr. Middaugh questioned the scientific value of the information because it would not review other important considerations. Dr. Middaugh informed the committee that Dr. Gessner was present and could discuss some research being done with SIDS. Dr. Middaugh noted that work is being done to understand and improve the prevention activities. Number 557 DR. BRAD GESSNER, Maternal Child & Family Section of the Department of Health & Social Services, said that he was a pediatrician and an epidemiologist. He viewed the issue as mainly in children less than one year of age. The majority of children dying under the age of one die from prematurity and congenital anomalies which normally happens in the first 28 days of life. Generally, SIDS' deaths occur after that period, around the 90th day of life. Dr. Gessner agreed with Dr. Middaugh that there is no evidence in the scientific literature that there is a relationship between SIDS or unexplained infant deaths and vaccine delivery of any type. Current literature suggests that placing an infant on its back to sleep can reduce the SIDS rate. Also an increased SIDS rate has been found when smoking occurs during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. Dr. Gessner pointed out that the Infant Mortality Review Committee was established in order to review the causes of infant death in order to address SIDS in Alaska. SIDS rates in Alaska are higher than other states. Three years of data confirms that there is a relationship between infant deaths and maternal smoking and sleep position. Dr. Gessner stated that the data does not illustrate any relationship between infant deaths and vaccine delivery. SENATOR LEMAN asked if the information requested last time was available; the information regarding the number of deaths of children under seven which were unexplained. TAPE 96-12, SIDE B In response to Senator Leman, CHAIRMAN GREEN said that she had received some information, however it did not exactly answer the question. There is a list of the unknown causes of death, but there is not a list of the other causes of death of children under seven. She informed the committee that on average, 29 deaths annually were listed as resulting from SIDS and three deaths annually from unknown causes. Those numbers come from an average of 151 each year. SENATOR LEMAN said that he would review the information and be prepared to continue this discussion in the next committee of referral. Number 577 SENATOR LEMAN moved that SB 185 be moved out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.
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