Seventeen Georgia state senators have proposed a new bill aimed at eliminating all routine childhood immunization requirements. The bill was drafted on Jan. 14 and in it senators hope to make vaccination record checking illegal. Eight vaccines are currently mandated by the Georgia Department of Health. This includes vaccinations to prevent diseases such as measles, mumps and chickenpox. “We need these vaccines that they’ve been pushing us around with for a long time,” said Antonio Proctor. “We need them. We need to keep updating the drug, I mean, the kids are the future.” Doctors say the requirements have protected children and adults from preventable diseases “Please think about your own children,” said Proctor, “Because if you didn’t have those shots, would you still be here?”
SAVANNAH, Ga. ,
Seventeen Georgia state senators have proposed a new bill aimed at eliminating all routine childhood immunization requirements.
The bill was drafted on Jan. 14 and in it senators hope to make vaccination record checking illegal. Eight vaccines are currently mandated by the Georgia Department of Health. This includes vaccinations to prevent diseases such as measles, mumps and chickenpox.
“We need these vaccines that they’ve been pushing us around with for a long time,” said Antonio Proctor. “We need them. We need to continue to be up to date on the drug, I mean the kids are the future.”
Doctors say the requirements have protected children and adults from preventable diseases.
“It’s a testament to why many school systems require universal routine immunizations for children,” said Dr. Stephen Thacker of Memorial Health.
The parents we spoke to say it’s best to leave these decisions to the medical professionals.
“Please think about your own children,” Proctor said. “Because if they didn’t have those shots, would they still be here?”