Oklahoman Editorial on SB 1407 - Vaccine Bill

Something to make you throw up your morning coffee

http://newsok.com/article/3218362/1205973416
Thu March 20, 2008
Breeding fear? Leave medicine to the pros
The Oklahoman Editorial

LAWMAKERS have plenty to do when it comes to divvying up the state budget and setting public policy to deal with pressing state issues. They don't need to play doctor, too. Senators approved a bill that would limit the amount of mercury in vaccines offered to children and pregnant women. Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said he wants to make sure fears that vaccines — more specifically a mercury preservative — may cause autism don't cause parents to forgo immunizations.

Unfortunately, his bill could do just that. Several studies and reports have found no link between the preservative thimerosal and autism. The implication that the two are connected could breed the very fear Gumm seeks to dispel.State health officials likewise worry such a law would cause parents to shy away from vaccines that have saved many children from serious illness and even death.

"I'm sure there was very good intent,” said Dr. Kristy Bradley, epidemiologist with the state Health Department. "But if it restricts our ability to offer vaccines, then we would not be in favor of it.”Bradley said the preservative is no longer in most childhood vaccines, and it's being phased out of production in flu vaccines. But she said the production capacity for mercury-free flu vaccines can't yet keep up with demand.

Gumm's law allows for an exemption in the case of an actual or potential public health emergency.We've no doubt Gumm's motives are pure. This is an emotional issue for many parents, who would do well to inform themselves about vaccines and the risks. But in this case, it's not wise or necessary for lawmakers to act based on the feared but unproven link between vaccines and autism. This proposal could have unintended consequences. We'd rather lawmakers leave weighty medical issues to the health care professionals.

Oklahoma SB 1407 Passes Senate 27-17

The State of Oklahoma

The Office of Senator Jay Paul Gumm

March 12, 2008

Contact: Senator Jay Paul Gumm

State Capitol: (405) 521-5586

Email: gumm@oksenate.gov

Oklahoma Senate Votes to Reduce Mercury in Childhood Vaccines

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to reduce the amount of mercury allowed in childhood vaccinations was approved by the Oklahoma Senate today on a bipartisan 27-17 vote.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, author of Senate Bill 1407, said the purpose of the bill was to remove a substance that causes some parents to have concern about childhood vaccinations.

“I believe strongly that vaccination is the greatest medical success story of the 20^th century,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “Vaccinations have saved untold lives and prevented untold suffering. We should do everything possible to promote childhood vaccinations.

“However, the presence of mercury in the form of thimerosal causes great fear for some because of the growing belief there is a link between mercury and the near-epidemic growth of autism. That justifiable and understandable fear is keeping kids from getting vaccinated, and that is a risk we dare not take.”

The bill would limit the amount of mercury to 0.5 micrograms per 0.5 milliliter dose. For influenza vaccine, the amount would be 0.625 micrograms of mercury per 0.25 milliliter dose.

The bill would allow the Commissioner of Health to suspend the limit in cases where large quantities of vaccine are needed in a public health emergency like a real or potential epidemic. SB 1407 mirrors a similar law on the books in Missouri. Six other states have similar laws, and in each of those states the vaccination rate of children increased.

Most vaccine manufacturers are already removing mercury from vaccines, the lawmaker said. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended removing the chemical from vaccinations in 1999.

While the Centers for Disease Control reports many studies show no link between autism and mercury in vaccine, the federal government – through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program – recently made a landmark decision to pay compensation to a family that claimed childhood vaccines caused their daughter’s autism.

“Whether is scientifically proven, many Oklahoma parents are convinced there is a link,” Gumm said.

“By phasing out the use of mercury in Oklahoma vaccines, more parents will feel safer about having their children vaccinated, better protecting those children and all of us from the diseases the vaccines prevent.”

The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.