In our last edition, I presented two bills, HB2470 and HB2471, sponsored by Representative Nancy Barto (Rep.) that had made their way out of the Health and Human Services Committee. These bills were heard in the House of Representatives despite expert testimony by Valley Physicians. A representative from the Arizona chapter of the National Vaccine Information Center (an anti-vaccine organization) was also given time to testify. HB2470 would expand the religious exemption to vaccines, even though Arizona already allows both religious and personal belief exemptions. HB2471 would require physicians to obtain informed consent for vaccinations, just as you would for any surgery or procedure.
There have been a few developments on this topic in the last two months, however, not for these two bills. They appear to have gone nowhere… for now. They made it to the House, but not out of it. Senator Brophy McGee remarked “It’s not good policy, and as chair, I can make the decision not to hear it. In the event of an outbreak, over 5,000 Arizona kindergarteners would be at risk for measles, and 7,066 Arizona children in grades K-12 are already exempt from every vaccine required.” Governor Ducey also chimed in, “I think it’s important for people to know that we are pro-vaccination in the state of Arizona. Vaccinations are good for our kids and helpful for public health.” He went on to vow that he would veto any anti-vaccine legislation that landed on his desk.
So if these bills are dead, what has happened since? One young man, Ethan Lindenberger, went against his parents’ wishes and got vaccinated on his 18th birthday. This sparked a debate about why underage minors who desire vaccination require parental consent when the actions of their parents could be described as harmful or negligent. University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s own Dr. David Beyda wrote an Op-Ed about the subject recently in the Arizona Republic (can be read here: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/2019/03/16/teens-who-want-vaccines-shouldnt-need-parental-consent-column/3131756002/). Although this debate may eventually lead to increased vaccinations in teens, misinformation is still a significant part of the problem. The more that we try to strong-arm parents who are anti-vaccine, the more they will dig their heels in and resist. I spoke with Dr. Lee Anne Denny and Dr. Jonathan Cartsonis about their thoughts on anti-vaccine legislation.
Dr. Denny stated: “As a family physician, I oppose any legislation which would reduce vaccinations. Vaccinations protect not only those who are immunized from diseases which can cause harm and death, but also people who cannot be immunized themselves, such as young infants and people with medical contraindications to immunizations.” Dr. Cartsonis added, “It’s distressing the recent political developments in Arizona surrounding childhood vaccinations. Energy should be focused on making it easier to get our children vaccinated. That’s where the science takes us. Measles and other childhood vaccines are not only safe but lifesaving. One of [my] clearest memories from medical school is my international health rotation in Papua New Guinea. It was horrifying to see children die from preventable complications of measles, pertussis, rotavirus, tetanus, and diphtheria. We have the luxury of access to vaccination. Unfortunately, there is an anti-science undercurrent in our community that applies to vaccines and we risk seeing these same tragedies happening within our own country. Our duty as physicians is to know the science and educate patients, friends, and family.”
They also shared advice on how we, as students, can approach these sensitive topics with fearful parents. “One aspect of family medicine I value most is caring for generations of the family across time, Dr. Cartosnis said. “This kind of care allows trust to develop. Medical students rotating into a clinic may not have that luxury but respecting parent and patient viewpoints is critically important or else all trust is lost. The misinformation amplified by social media should be countered with education. We should listen to patient fears and respond without judgement. We might also share stories of our own children (siblings, nieces or nephews) getting the full sets of vaccination and the reasons why. It’s a delicate matter and pushing too hard could have the opposite of the intended effect. I recommend The Arizona Partnership for Immunization website (https://www.whyimmunize.org) and also the Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html) for more physician and patient information.”
Dr. Denny concluded: “At the end of the day, you both want the same things for the child: avoiding harm, avoiding disease and complications from disease, avoiding side effects of vaccination. Start from this pool of shared desires. I always make sure that parents understand that only they can make this decision and that my role is to share with them the knowledge I have so they can make the best possible decision for their child.”
- Arizona House Bill 2470 (2019). https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus. Accessed May 1, 2019.
- Arizona House Bill 2471 (2019). https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus. Accessed May 1, 2019.
- Beyda, D. (2019). “Doctor: Teens who want vaccines shouldn’t need parental consent.” Arizona Republic. Accessed May 1, 2019.
- Forman, C (2019). “Ducey declares Arizona ‘pro-vaccination’ state, vows to kill vaccine exemption bills.” AZ Capitol Times. Accessed May 1, 2019.
Kristina Yancey is a member of The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Class of 2022. She graduated from The City University of New York-Staten Island in 2008 with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry & Chemistry, earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University in 2017 and completed a Graduate Certificate in Health Sciences through the Pathway Scholars Program at The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix in 2018. She enjoys research, community activism, singing Karaoke, dancing, and cracking up at her own jokes. But most of all, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter.
Email: kyancey@email.arizona.edu