Letter: Disease prevention keeps NH safe

I am writing to express my opposition to HB 524, which repeals the NH Vaccine Association. Despite over 3000 Granite Staters signing in to oppose, the Republican members of the House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs chose not to listen to their constituents and have instead moved this proposed legislation forward. It is now being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 524 would end our state’s current system for providing access to vaccines for children regardless of families’ ability to pay. If this legislation passes, families will likely need to pay co-pays or out-of-pocket for their children to be vaccinated. In a time of rising costs, no child should have to forgo protections from harmful diseases because their family can’t afford it.

This would be dangerous for everyone. New Hampshire is already below the necessary herd immunity vaccination rate for measles and this proposed legislation will only drop the vaccination rates lower, putting the state at higher risk for outbreaks like we are seeing in Texas.

This is also particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable among us. I am an immunocompromised person who cannot be vaccinated. For disabled children with conditions like mine, being able to safely go to school is contingent on the protection provided by vaccinated classmates. Without the NH Vaccine Alliance, the world becomes far scarier and a whole lot more isolated for those of us who are immunocompromised.

Kate Harmon Siberine

Goffstown