Childhood vaccines: for the vast majority of parents it's a necessary part of protecting the health of their children. But for some parents, concerns over the number of vaccines, the schedule of taking them, and possible side-effects lead them to a different conclusion.
Vermont law requires that children must be vaccinated to enroll in childcare facilities or schools, but there are three exceptions: medical, religious and philosophic grounds. Now the debate has been re-ignited over whether to tighten immunization requirements by removing the philosophic exemption.
Monday on Vermont Edition, we look at how Vermont handles the question of childhood vaccines with Sen. Kevin Mullin, who wants to eliminate the philosophic exemption; Dorian Yates of the Vermont Coalition for Vaccine Choice, who says parents should decide which medical procedures their kids undergo; and Dr. Rebecca Bell of University of Vermont Children's Hospital, who will answer questions about the medical science of vaccines, including side effects and risks of vaccine injury.
Broadcast live on Mon., Feb 23, 2015 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
