SB 292-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT IMMUNIZATIONS SENATOR GREEN moved to adopt CS for SB 292 (STA)(version G) as the working version of the committee. Without objection, CS for SB 292 (STA)(version G) was adopted. MS. LORETTA BROWN, Legislative staff for Senator Jerry Ward, stated the language in section 1 (a)(7),"unless the commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services certifies that there is no risk of harm to an individual child from the vaccine or" was deleted. The language "a parent or legal guardian of the child objects to the immunization based on religious or personal beliefs;" was inserted on page 2, line 21 and page 3, line 22. Section 3, subsection (b) has been added to the bill "The commissioner of Health and Social Services shall make available to the public a safety and public needs brochure that describes the risks and benefits of vaccines and immunizations that are required for attendance in a licensed day care center, public school, or private school. The brochure described in this subsection must disclose the source of the information used in the brochure." CHAIRMAN WARD announced the committee would stand at ease. VICE CHAIR GREEN stated she would be chairing the meeting in lieu of CHAIRMAN WARD. MS. BROWN said 17 states provide a personal belief exemption. SENATOR ELTON asked how the State will determine what is a legitimate excuse, and not an excuse of convenience. MS. BROWN referred to a survey conducted in California. Number 1169 SENATOR ELTON asked what will be determined if parents disagree with one another on immunizations of the child, and who will arbitrate. MS. BROWN stated that was not addressed, therefore, she is unsure. DR. PETER NAKAMURA, Director of the Division of Public Health, Department of Health & Social Services, stated the language in CS for SB 292 (STA) is still troublesome. There are many physicians in the State who would be more than willing to sign off on exemptions for vaccines, and that puts many people at risk. A personal exemption could be used as a convenience method for parents who are too lazy to have their children immunized, and that is putting the child at risk. VICE CHAIR GREEN asked what the standard is in current statute. DR. NAKAMURA answered regulations are in place that require a sign off for a valid medical or religious reason. SENATOR ELTON asked whether Dr. Nakamura would be called upon to dissolve a dispute between parents. DR. NAKAMURA stated a legal advisor would be better equipped to answer the question. SENATOR ELTON asked whether Dr. Nakamura could define what a personal belief is. DR. NAKAMURA answered no, the subject is too broad. MR. LYLE AXELARRIS, representing himself, stated support for CS for SB 292. Choices should be left up to the parents, not the government. For a state to assume responsibility for a child's welfare by making blanket health care decisions for all children is to act as a communist state. Number 1703 MS. TABITHA PARKER, representing herself, stated support for CS for SB 292. It is important for parents to make the decision about their children's health care, parents should not need to use religion as a safety net. MS. JAMIE NALEPINSKI, representing herself, stated support for CS for SB 292. Vaccinations are very traumatic for young children, and parents should have the choice whether to subject their children to them. MS. JOYCE WOJCIEHOUSKI, representing herself, stated opposition for CS for SB 292. Being a registered nurse she has witnessed the devastation these diseases can cause. Some children do have legitimate medical reasons for not receiving a vaccine. If parents choose not to immunize their children for personal beliefs it puts the children at risk because of medical reasons. DR. JOHN MIDDAUGH, Division of Public Health, Department of Health & Social Services, stated he was assigned to the State Health Department in 1975, and inheritrd an epidemic of diphtheria followed by an epidemic of measles. Parents moving in and out of Alaska were able to exercise a philosophical exemption, or schools stopped enforcing the existing requirements at that time. The State was reminded in 1996, with an outbreak of measles in Juneau, and in 1998 in Anchorage, how important and significant vaccinations are. Vaccines simply protect children in the settings where these diseases spread rapidly and place individuals at risk. The decision of a parent to not vaccinate their child because of personal beliefs is respected, but that child cannot attend day care or school, and then the child's education is at risk. Dr. Middaugh stated opposition for CS for SB 292. Studies in other states have shown that exempted persons are 35 times more likely to contract measles than vaccinated persons. MS. COLLEEN DRAKE WILKE, Public Health Nurse for the Municipality of Anchorage, stated she has been investigating whooping cough cases in young children who are too young to receive vaccines. The immunization goal in a community is to develop pert-immunity (ph), where you immunize as many individuals as possible to decrease disease, so those who cannot benefit from vaccines are protected by lack of infectious disease in the community. Ms. Wilke stated opposition for CS for SB 292. DR. BETH FUNK, stated opposition for CS for SB 292. MS. BEVERLY WOOLEY, Manager of Community & Health Services for the Municipality of Anchorage, stated opposition for CS for SB 292. CSSB 292 would result in reduced immunization levels and an increase in disease. Vaccines are known to be the most effective protection against disease that continues to threaten our children. MS. CAROL SHELLEY, representing herself, stated opposition for CS for SB 292. Alex, her son, contracted whooping cough at four weeks old and could have died. Whooping cough is a vaccine preventable disease, the lack of vaccinations puts small children at risk who are too small to receive the immunization. Tape 00-07, Side B MR. J.J. TOWER, student, stated opposition for CS for SB 292. He does not want to become exposed to infectious diseases because another child has not been immunized. If there are no vaccinations, millions of children may become afflicted with a deadly disease, and become highly contagious because of the closely knit school environments. VICE CHAIR GREEN stated CS for SB 292 would be held in committee.