American Academy of Pediatrics - Vermont Chapter

Vermont’s public-school student immunization rates, already the lowest in New England, are declining to levels that are considered unsafe by the Centers for Disease Control.

This troubling trend is due in part to the fact that the number of parents using the philosophical exemption to enroll their children in public schools without the required vaccinations is growing every year.

Fortunately, legislation is currently under consideration in Vermont that strengthens immunization laws, protects school children and preserves decades of progress in the fight against deadly and debilitating diseases by removing the philosophical exemption.

If this important legislation is to pass, immunization supporters must make their voices heard.

Through ImmunizeVT.org, an initiative of the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, there are two ways you can do just that:

• By signing a statement of support; and,
• By sharing your “Why I Choose to Vaccinate” story.

Statement of Support

Signal your support of immunizations by signing your name to the statement below:

Vaccines save lives and are a vital part of Vermont’s public health system. Decreasing immunization rates represent a step backward for our state’s health, and could potentially lead to an increase in deadly and debilitating diseases.

I believe in the importance and effectiveness of vaccines, and ask that our state’s policy makers support sensible, science-based public health policies that encourage Vermonters to protect their health, and the health of others, by becoming vaccinated.

Name

First *

Last name initial *

Last (optional)

Town

Town *

State *

Permission Statement

Yes

AAPVT/ImmunizeVT.org has my permission to share my statement of support with elected officials and other policy makers and on ImmunizeVT.org and other appropriate campaign materials.

Send me updates and news related to immunizations (add email address below)

*Required fields

Why I Choose

Parents who choose to immunize their children often have many different reasons for doing so. Share yours by submitting your “Why I Choose” story below. With your permission, your story may be shared with policy makers, on ImmunizeVT.org and various social media platforms.

Thank you for helping us spread the word about the benefits and importance of immunizations.

Why I Choose – 3,000 character maximum (approximately 450 words)

Name

First *

Last name initial *

Last (optional)

Town

Town *

State *

Permission Statement

Yes

AAPVT/ImmunizeVT.org has my permission to share my Why I Choose story with elected officials and other policy makers and on ImmunizeVT.org and other appropriate campaign materials.

Send me updates and news related to immunizations (add email address below)

*Required fields

Additional ways of supporting immunizations

Besides the two opportunities above, there are a number of additional ways to show your support of policies that encourage immunizations:

• Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper;
• Writing, e-mail or calling your elected officials. Click here to find out who represents you in the House and Senate, as well as obtain their contact information;
• Signal your support on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter; and,
• Contact AAPVT executive director Stephanie Winters at swinters@vtmd.org if you have additional ideas.