State lawmakers kill vaccine bill after heated debate
KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / JAN. 2015
A medical assistant at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu administers a flu vaccination to a patient.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Renee Kewalo speaks against a bill that would have sped up the process for the Hawaii Department of Health to adopt federal vaccination guidelines during a committee hearing today at the Hawaii State Capitol.
After listening to Hawaii residents speak out against vaccines and saying they cause everything from autism to the Zika virus, Hawaii lawmakers killed a bill to speed up the state’s process for adopting federal vaccination guidelines.
The bill would have allowed the state Health Department to more easily adopt the federal rules, which some opponents of the measure fear would result in more vaccinations. Under the bill considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health, the department would have 90 days to adopt rules.
Immediately after hearing opposition to the bill, Sen. Rosalyn Baker said today it wouldn’t move forward. Her announcement came before the usual time when lawmakers decide on the bills.
Baker said the bill didn’t pass because there seemed to be “so much confusion and a lot of misinformation” about what it would do.
Sen. Will Espero, who is on Baker’s committee, said he hasn’t seen a lawmaker do that before.
“Normally she would wait to the end of the agenda,” Espero said. “But in this case, she felt that it might be best before we get to the other bill to just share with them that, ‘FYI, I hear you, and I’ve made the decision.’ “
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Baker’s decision shows how the public can be involved in making laws, Espero said.
Supporters of the bill say it would have helped the Hawaii Department of Health address public health crises quickly. They said given the potential for diseases to spread rapidly, it’s important to be able to adopt vaccination rules swiftly.
Opponents of the bill spoke out against mandatory vaccinations, saying their side effects are harmful and the people should have the right to make their own health decisions.
“We’re all about freedom,” said Renee Kawelo, who opposed the bill. “We want you to have the choice to decide. If you want a vaccine, great. Go vaccinate yourself.”
Kawelo said she doesn’t want to vaccinate her children because vaccines could make them sick.
Vaccinations are a hot-button issue across the nation. For decades, critics have said vaccines can cause debilitating side effects — most notably autism, which scientific research has debunked.
Almost all states grant religious exemptions for people who have religious beliefs against vaccinations, while 20 states allow exemptions for personal or moral beliefs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
21 responses to “State lawmakers kill vaccine bill after heated debate”
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Stupid decision, lawmakers! You are now morally and ethically responsible for the plights of every child and adult who is sickened or killed by a vaccine-preventable disease. The dangers of those diseases are far greater than the tiny risks of adverse reactions to vaccines. Shame on you!
Lack of vaccinations apparently leads to ignorance and sometimes stupidity and in-ability to discern the truth.
Not really. I’m sure a lot of these folks were vaccinated… Maybe the ignorance and bald faced lies are some of these alleged side effects…? Yah, maybe they have a point after all.
Vaccinations are not a “hot topic” around the nation. A few nuts complain about vaccinations while ignoring valid evidence that goes against their superstitions, and a few journalists and lawmakers give them too much credit. i.e., any credit. Our lawmakers should show the minimum of integrity and scientific knowledge and adopt federal standards immediately. Otherwise, they show themselves to be feckless wimps afraid to stand up against ignorance.
Exactly. Just one of hundreds of daily reasons why the Nei is known around the globe as living in the past.
Should have followed California’s lead where vaccines became a requirement for attending school, parental exceptions were eliminated. But nooooo, too many very weak minded people here who still believe in conspiracy theories and wear tin foil hats.
I’ve said it before and this story proves I am 100% correct. Just another day in the backwards, little 7th world of Hawaii Nei.
you proved that you are 100% lolo
He hasn’t proven anything — except that he can make a valid point. On the other hand, you and some others have proven that you can stick your fingers in your ears and say, “wahwahwahwahwah…”
Agreed — vaccines do NOT cause Austism. And even if it did, which id DOES NOT, I wonder about parents who would rather their children die than end up with Autism — do they really hate autistic people THAT much that they believe “better dead than autistic”?
You might want to take the time to read the information on the permission form for vaccinations and all the side effects that come with each one. Parents have to sign those form giving the doctor permission to give the vaccination. no one know how it will effect there child till it given. there not a few nuts but concern parents. as they should be
Yes, concerned parents read the information and give consent. It’s the nuts who do not vaccinate their children.
It to much government in our lives as it is it should be up to the parents not the state
Parents don’t have the right to gamble with their children’s lives. They may claim “MY kids won’t be having sex” but they are wrong. Someday their kids WILL have sex, and mandatory vaccines means the kids won’t suffer from cancer later on in life because their parents were not aware of when their kids were going to become sexually active. Also, what if the kid is raped? Should a rape victim have to face cancer later in life?
You endanger other parents’ kids by not vaccinating yours. In fact, you put the whole population at risk. You might not want “the state” in your life but, know what? I don’t want you endangering mine.
Not true right now kids are required to take vaccinations that pot them selves and other at risk before they enter school. beyond that it the parents choice ,
While it’s true that, technically, an emailed rumor “documents” something, that does not make it a valid reference. Otherwise, it’d be true that we’re all being irradiated by microwave ovens.
You want to explain how getting a vaccination puts others at risk? This should be rich.
If Hawaii lawmakers ever wonder why they are so richly berated and scorned, they need look no further that this disgraceful capitulation to a small minority of idiots almost as dumb as the so called lawmakers…!
Parents have to watch out for their children when doctors and others who are pushing mandatory vaccinations are nothing but guns for hire for the pharmaceuticals
companies. It is all about making money, not health or what is best for the children. Why would you make vaccinations mandatory. Those that want them are free to do so.
So in theory, they are protected, so why would you want those who do not want the vaccinations be forced to take them.
Makes you wonder what is going on here. And any person with half a brain should certainly educate themselves on the possible side effects of each and every vaccination
that your doctor so eagerly wants your child to take. If you read the warnings, you may not be so willing and anxious to have all these vaccines administered to your children.
People need to educate themselves and not blindly place yourself and your child’s health in the government’s hands.
Vaccinations cause the Zika virus???? That sounds very intelligent. Come one law makers, get the facts and don’t let the conspiracy theorist bully you.
you said it all..someone with a brain on this forum
So, instead we should put ours and our childrens’ lives in your blind hands. I don’t think so. Everything you wrote here is complete nonsense. There should be no talk from you to anyone about the need for education. It’s people like you and ignorance like yours that make these kinds of laws necessary.
How very foolish and unfortunate.