| *********************** JOINT LEGISLATIVE NEWSFLASH ? March 12, 2007 From: Roy Hanson?s Child and Family Protection Association and HSLDA *********************** Bill: AB 16 ? HPV Immunizations for Girls before School Enrollment Author: Assembly Member Ed Hernandez Position: Strongly Oppose Status: In the California State Assembly ***** ***** ***** ***** We have received a number of calls regarding AB 16 expressing concern about the proposed requirement for all girls to receive the HPV vaccination before being enrolled in the 7th grade in any public or private school, which would include private home-based schools. We routinely watch all legislation dealing with vaccinations for at least two reasons: 1) all requirements for children to be vaccinated are currently linked to school enrollment, which includes home-based private schools; and 2) no parent should be required to have their child vaccinated if it is contrary to what they believe is best for their own child. AB 16 adds the very questionable and potentially dangerous human papillomarvirus (HPV) vaccine to the 10 vaccinations currently required for children before being admitted to specific grades in any public or private school. Current law prohibits public and private school officials from admitting any child to their school unless either: 1) that child has received all of the vaccinations listed in current law for their grade level; or 2) the child's parent has signed a waiver indicating that they do not want their child to receive the "required" vaccinations. The waiver is documented on the back-side of the "California School Immunization Record," which is required to be kept on file at the child's school of enrollment (public or private ? including private home schools). This form is available from your local county health department. More details, including a sample copy of the "California School Immunization Record" (Department of Health Form PM268B), are available in CHEA's manual, "An Introduction to Home Education" (see pages 5-21 & 8-7 current 10th edition). You can contact CHEA at 562-864-2432; PO Box 2009, Norwalk, CA 90651; www.chea.org. AB 16 does not remove this waiver capability. In fact, AB 16, as currently written, actually adds helpful language, clarifying what this waiver can cover by stating that the parent can waive "any or all of the immunizations" that are otherwise required for school attendance. Unfortunately, almost all public announcements promoting vaccination of children fail to mention that parents can sign this waiver. AB 16 does not make it very easy for parents to get information about any effects of the HPV vaccination or any risks associated with having an HPV vaccination. In fact, AB 16 was amended on March 5th to remove the requirement for doctors who administer the HPV vaccination to provide written information to the parents concerning the effects of the vaccination. We are very concerned about parents being pressured to have their daughters vaccinated with this HPV vaccination because so little is known about it and its long-term effects. Also, there have been very troubling reports of dangerous immediate side effects, such as fainting and convulsions, at least when the HPV vaccine has been received in conjunction with other vaccinations. Watch for additional helpful information concerning vaccinations in Family Protection Ministry's upcoming March-April newsletter, Legal-Legislative Update. You can express your concerns about AB 16 anytime by calling your own California Assembly Member, or by calling the bill's author, Assembly member Ed Hernandez at 916-319-2057. Parents should learn all they can before making any decisions concerning vaccinating their children. The following resources provide information on vaccines, including their potential dangers to children: National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), Barbara Loe Fisher, Co-founder and President, (703) 938-3783, 204 Mill St., Suite B1; Vienna, VA 22180, or online at http://www.909shot.com. Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education (PROVE), Dawn Richardson, Co-Founder and President, (512) 288-3999, P.O. Box 91566; Austin, TX 78709, or online at http://www.vaccineinfo.net. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (800) 311-3435, 1600 Clifton Rd; Atlanta, GA 30333, or online at http://www.cdc.gov. We are neither endorsing the above resources nor attesting to the accuracy of any information provided by these resources. ***** ***** ***** ***** Permission is given to reprint or forward this Newsflash unaltered to your friends, church, school, and group. ***** ***** ***** ***** Roy Hanson's HELP Tree Child and Family Protection Association P.O. Box 730 Lincoln, CA 95648-0730 Fax: (916) 415-9470 ******************** DISCLAIMER: We are not responsible for the accuracy of copies printed, forwarded, or sent by any party other than directly from Child and Family Protection Association ******************** |