Editor’s note: This commentary is by Andrew Shamis, of South Burlington, who is the co-founder and president of ccThrive — Thriving after Childhood Cancer.
[O]ver the past week, the Vermont House was presented with emotional testimony on both sides of the immunization debate. Supported by the irrefutable evidence on the efficacy of vaccines, including countless lives saved and endless suffering averted through vaccination, the House and Senate did the right thing in protecting the public’s health. It wasn’t an easy vote, but with their courage, and Gov. Shumlin’s hopeful signature, this one vote will likely result in lives saved and a healthier Vermont.
I understand the passion and fear of those who sought the philosophical exemption. Two other boys my son’s age, who lived nearby, were also diagnosed with leukemia within months of my son.
I am a resident of South Burlington and the parent of two children. Four years ago, my then 8-year-old son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. There was a one in five chance my son would die. He started three-and-a-half years of non-stop chemotherapy, leaving him not only to deal with the horrors of cancer and chemotherapy, but also in fear he might needlessly lose his life to an infection that could have been prevented, if not for the philosophical exemption.
We balanced the joy of daily activities, like school, with the risk of death. Nurses from the hospital visited my son’s elementary school explaining what cancer was and wasn’t, and how important it was to maintain good hygiene, like washing their hands, and coughing and sneezing into their elbows. They explained how such basic, responsible behavior, could not only keep them from getting sick, but also help keep my son alive.
So much of our lives was beyond our control, such as the possibility of a relapse, the unintended consequences of treatment, or the risks inherent in daily life.
What we cannot accept are preventable risks — things that reasonable, responsible parents can do to keep our children out of harm’s way.
Vaccinating against disease is a big part of this. Preventable childhood illnesses that had been eradicated, that took or devastated countless lives only generations ago, are now again threatening all children — especially children with suppressed immune systems from cancer and other diseases.
I understand the passion and fear of those who sought the philosophical exemption. Two other boys my son’s age, who lived nearby, were also diagnosed with leukemia within months of my son. The odds of any child being diagnosed with leukemia is less than 25,000 to 1. The odds of these three 8-year-old boys being diagnosed is millions to one. I questioned the possibility of a cancer cluster? It was a fair question and one that was worth investigating, but contrary to what appeared obvious, the science did not support the theory. Questioning and investigating is necessary, actions need to be well supported and trade-offs well considered.
Today, few parents would question the need for child seats, airbags and seat belts. While studies have shown that these safety devices are responsible for the deaths and injury of some children every year, studies also show that far more lives are saved and injuries prevented. Thus in the interest of public health and safety we rightly have laws that mandate these devices and their use.
It is difficult to argue that there is not the possibility of adverse reactions to vaccines, but the benefits to public health far outweigh the risk. If there are issues with specific vaccines, procedures and regulations are in place to remove them from use. The philosophical exemption to vaccination is in conflict with the state’s obligation to public health. It enables individuals not only to put their own children at risk, but also endanger the rights of the community. If a doctor determines that a specific vaccine is not appropriate for a child, medical exemptions are available.
Eliminating the philosophical exemption is supported by the vast majority of Vermonters. In February, before this issue had come to the forefront, Every Child By Two commissioned Gravis Research to conduct a poll. Of the 880 Vermonters polled, only 13 percent supported the philosophical exemption while 73 percent spoke out in favor of changing the law.
I look forward to Gov. Shumlin honoring his recent commitment to respect the will of the Legislature on this issue, follow the expert advice of his health commissioner, and protect the life of my son and every other Vermonter, and sign H.98 eliminating the philosophical exemption to vaccination.
