A protective measure from the Department of Health Services could be repealed very soon! The Committee for Review of Administrative Rules is meeting tomorrow to consider interfering with a policy from the Department of Health Services, which would have sweeping consequences for students. Please urge this joint committee not to endanger Wisconsin students.
In February, the DHS announced a policy that K-12 students would be required to receive meningitis vaccines in seventh grade, followed by a booster in 12th grade, as well as either a chickenpox vaccine or medical documentation showing a previous chickenpox infection. The policy is a clear measure to protect children, particularly important after the rampant outbreaks of Covid-19 in recent history.
Vaccines have been a valuable part of protecting the health of Wisconsin citizens when they’ve been introduced. However, should the joint committee strike this policy down, Wisconsin will be risking the deaths of students across academia. If a student is unvaccinated, they will run the risk of contracting a virus, in this case either meningitis or chickenpox, and spreading it to their classmates. Work to remove this policy comes from an anti-science perspective that instead believes that prayer and belief in a higher power will keep children safe. This is not a valid way to protect students across the state, and would have grave impacts (literally) for children unable to advocate for themselves, and for those relying on herd immunity due to legitimate medical conditions.
Please act quickly and urge the joint committee not to repeal this policy! We have included suggested language through the “Take Action” button, which you can customize as you see fit. For best results, please be succinct and polite. This hearing will take place tomorrow, so please take action now!
You can read FFRF’s testimony against the repeal here.
(Note: You must live in this state in order to participate in this action alert.)
