Immunizations; authority of the Commissioner of Health, exception. (HB5016)
Introduced By
Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) with support from co-patrons Del. John Avoli (R-Staunton), and Del. Glenn Davis (R-Virginia Beach)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Immunizations; authority of the Commissioner of Health; exception. Eliminates the authority of the Commissioner of Health to require immunization of individuals who object to such administration on religious grounds. Read the Bill »
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Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 08/14/2020 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 08/18/20 20200642D |
| 08/14/2020 | Committee |
| 08/14/2020 | Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions |
| 08/21/2020 | Impact statement from DPB (HB5016) |
| 08/25/2020 | Tabled in Health, Welfare and Institutions (11-Y 10-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
Virginians need stronger legislative protection from a health commissioner who would rush to mandate a new, unproven vaccine. A new vaccine should first be available to willing participants for the initial 18-24 months, such time being necessary for other, lower-risk individuals to observe and evaluate its longer term safety and efficacy. History provides some unnerving examples of dangers to public health when a vaccine is rushed through R&D into production. Examples include Cutter polio vaccine that accidentally contained live polio virus, 1955; polio vaccines containing a cancer-causing simian virus, 1955-63; Swine flu vaccine that caused Guillain Barre syndrome, 1976; and rotavirus vaccine and infant bowel obstruction, 1998-99.
It’s not just the efficacy of the vaccine at issue here. It is the fundamental right to privacy and control over a citizens own body and soul.