Proposed Flu And Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Mandate Is A Bad Idea For NJs Children

A newly formed coalition of national and state advocacy groups voice opposition to the proposed NJ Health Department flu and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine mandate for preschool and daycare children.

(PRWEB) August 30, 2005 -- The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is considering a health mandate that will require that infants and young children enrolled in preschool and daycare programs here in New Jersey be injected with both the flu and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines prior to their admittance to these programs. Information about the potential regulations was obtained from a July 26th Star Ledger article entitled Children May Get More Vaccinations" by Carol Ann Campbell. (The article can be found online at: http://tinyurl.com/9hsos). While we are aware of the potential dangers from illness to certain children in this age group, there are also numerous risks from injecting these children with vaccines containing ingredients which could have a negative impact on their health and well-being", said Ellen Sweeney of The Autism Autoimmunity Project of New Jersey.

Most flu vaccines still contain the preservative thimerosal, a known neurotoxin comprised of 50% ethylmercury. The preservative has been implicated in the growing prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism and ADHD, and neurological damage in children of this age group. Also, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine on children of this age group hasnt been determined nor has its effectiveness on hospitalization rates, mortality rates, and serious complications from and transmission of the flu.

The ingredients within the PCV7 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine proposed for use are also a cause for concern. It contains yeast and soy proteins, both of which are known allergens for some children. Other ingredients include aluminum and ammonium sulfates, both known to be developmental, reproductive, and neurological toxins and also both known for their carcinogenic properties.

It is also important to note that this proposed mandate for the use of the flu vaccine in younger children, if passed, would be the first of its kind anywhere in the United States. Nowhere else has a vaccine mandate been proposed that would require children of such a young age to be injected with the flu vaccine as a requirement to attend a preschool or daycare program. It also should be noted that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not mandated at this time for children in this age group here in NJ. In the past, recommendations for the use of both vaccines were made but it was at the discretion of the parent on whether or not to have their children receive the vaccines.

While we would like to see that all vaccines become an elective choice of the informed parent, placing these vaccines on the immunization schedule of infants and preschoolers as NJDHSS is considering, could potentially do more harm than good. It is the position of the coalition that if these vaccines continue to be used in New Jersey that they remain an elective and not a requirement for these children to attend preschool or daycare. The potential for harm exists and we feel it would be prudent to leave the decision up to the parents.

For more information contact:

Ellen Sweeney

The Autism Autoimmunity Project of New Jersey (TAAP-NJ)

and

Parents for Autism Autoimmune and Vaccine Education (PAAVE-NJ)

(732)451-1073

April Oakes/Raymond Gallup

The Autism Autoimmunity Project (TAAP)

(800)939-8227

Bernard Rimland

Autism Research Institute (ARI)

(619) 281-7165

Ingri Cassel/Donna Carrillo

Vaccine Liberation (VacLib)

(888)249-1421

Susan Collins

New Jersey Alliance for Informed Choice on Vaccination (NJAICV)

(973) 252-5440

Kathi Williams

National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)

(703) 938-0342

Lyn Redwood/Mark Blaxill

Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders (SafeMinds)

(404) 934-0777

Barbara Flynn

Children Having Everyone Really Upset 'Bout Shots (CHERUBS)

(908) 273-2792

Geoff Dubrowsky

Parents of Autistic Children (POAC)

(732) 888-1000

Shelley Hendrix Reynolds

Unlocking Autism

(225) 281-1894

Nancy Massotto

Holistic Moms Network

(877)HOL-MOMS

Robert J. Krakow

Advocates for Childrens Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning (A-CHAMP)

(212)227-0600

Bob Witanek

A Parents Initiative for Every Childs Education (APIECE-NJ)

(908)881-5275

H. Anne Downing

The New Jersey Chapter of The National Autism Association (NAANJ)

(908) 534-0328

Donald C. Meserlian, P.E.

Voices of Safety International (VOSI)

(973)228-2258

Amy Carson

Moms Against Mercury (MAM)

(828)776-0082

John Gilmore

National Autism Association-New York Metro Chapter

(516) 432-5550

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