As the vaccination debate continues amongst what the CDC has called a measles outbreak in the United States, one local lawmaker is hoping to advance a bill that would protect the rights of parents or guardians who decide not to vaccinate their children.
State Representative Daryl Metcalfe- a republican who represents a portion of residents in southern Butler County- says his legislation- called the PA Vaccine Informed Consent Protection Act- is meant to stop doctors and hospitals from refusing to treat a child if they haven’t been vaccinated.
“Whether parents are choosing to vaccinate on a different schedule, limit the number of vaccines, or refuse some vaccines…it’s a parents’ right to make that decision,” Metcalfe said Tuesday. “Our children don’t belong to the state. This is not communist Russia. This is the United States of America.”
Metcalfe was joined by anti-vaccination advocates during a press conference Tuesday morning at the State Capitol.
In Pennsylvania, parents can refuse to have their children vaccinated for religious or personal reasons.
Nationally, the U.S. measles outbreak has hit 704 cases, which is the highest point in this century. Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to push that vaccines are safe and recommended for all children between 12 and 15 months old.
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