Vaccinations are a medical advancement that has evolved from basic techniques several hundreds of years ago. With their evolution, humans have also evolved to live longer and eventually eradicate numerous illnesses from different areas of the world altogether.
Over the last several years, however, several individuals have come forward with complaints of vaccine injuries and sentiments that vaccine companies have been negligent in adequately warning individuals of the potential risks. Although many of the accusations made were not founded in veritable literature, many remained fearful of risks and subscribed to groups of anti-vaccination ideals Although many of the accusations made were not founded in veritable literature, many people remained fearful of vaccine injuries and subscribed to groups of anti-vaccination ideals. Several states are responding to the this movement as it has proven to pose a risk to public safety.
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Vaccines provide immunization against certain diseases by injecting small doses of the disease’s antigens into the patient. The patient’s body builds antibodies against the intruder, which protects the patient from future exposure – this is how immunity works.
Vaccines are aimed to prevent young children from contracting illnesses that could easily lead to hospitalization because of their weakened immune systems. This fragility is evident within the first two months of a baby’s life where even just one kiss from a relative with a communicable disease can result in a hospital visit.
Minnesota, via Senator Chris Eaton, has recently proposed a bill that makes vaccinations mandatory. This bill acts as a “deletion bill,” removing the aspect of their current vaccination law that allows conscientious exemptions. This means parents who refuse to submit vaccine verification would prevent their children from enrolling, or continuing enrollment, in schools. This makes refusing to vaccinate your child a form of educational neglect. This applies to homeschooled children, children in daycare, and children in public and private schools.
Minnesota has established vaccination requirements for residents attending any level of schooling.
School-aged children over two-months of age may not enroll in a school or daycare without receiving their age-relevant vaccinations and providing proof that a medical professional administered them. School-aged children must also adhere to a schedule of immunizations while they are in school.
Several exceptions currently exist that allow a child to refrain from vaccination. Several rules are in place detailing that children who did not receive certain vaccines, like pertussis, as young children do not have to get it after a certain age. Children are also exempt from any vaccine that a physician’s note states the child should not receive for medical reasons or a child’s guardians conscientiously object to. In the case that a child is homeless, the school does not mandatorily require immunization records.
College-aged students must be up-to-date on five different vaccinations: measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria. They must furnish their vaccination records to their college administration.
For college-aged students to be exempt from keeping up with their vaccinations, they must also meet certain criteria. Medical disqualification and natural immunity are exemptions that require physician verification. Conscientious objection does not immediately excuse the student but forwards the student’s statement to the school’s commissioner of health.
Both sets of regulations regard conscientious objection as a viable reason to not provide immunization records. However, based on recommendations from the Department of Health, Minnesota has decided to rescind this right through proposed bill SF 1520.
Minnesota has responded to health concerns by proposing to amend their previous vaccination law. Though many residents feel like the bill is an infringement of rights, the state only intends to maintain the safety standards of their school systems.