Protect Maine kids - Vote "No" on question one in the March 3, 2020 election

Press release statement to support Maine's vaccine compliance law.

Hello. My name is Dr. Laura Blaisdell. I am a mom and a pediatrician. I am also a co-founder of Maine Families For Vaccines and the Vice President of the Maine American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Dr. Laura Blaisdell (left) with Rabbi Erica Asch at the No On One rally on Feb. 3, 202 in Augusta Maine.

Immunization is a foundation of modern medicine. 

With the exception of clean water, there is no single preventive health intervention more safe and effective than immunization.

In fact, the benefits of immunization extend beyond prevention of disease and its devastating sequel. Vaccines protect our neighbors, allow for safe schools, enable safe travel, and extend life-expectancy, save millions of lives and trillions in health care dollars.

We, the medical and public health communities, know this unequivocally, through fact and experience—from 150 years of scientific study to hearing the personal stories of those who experienced life before immunizations. Yet, returning outbreaks speak to us about cracks in this mighty foundation.

As we watch Coronavirus paralyze travel across the globe, we are reminded about a time when measles shut down schools and parents dreaded the summers of polio. Outbreaks of chicken pox, whooping cough and mumps are now a common headline in the Maine press. Why?

5.6 percent of parents of kindergarteners opt-out of vaccination for personal choice reasons. These rates are 3 times the national average and outbreaks occur when community immunity is threatened. There are no alternative explanations.

Our legislators passed PL 154 last spring—a common sense and reasonable adjustment to a long standing law making vaccination mandatory for school entry, unless there is a medical reason to not be vaccinated. Not mandatory vaccination as our opponents to call it, but vaccination for places that we share and rely on each other for safety. No person has the right to put our children at risk, and parents have every right to know their child is safe from harm when they put them on the school bus.

And, since the passage of this common sense law, we have heard from the vast majority of Maine people who agree.

Maine Families for Vaccines, which started as a handful of concerned families and pediatricians, has grown into this broad robust coalition that represents

· trusted health care organizations

· medical and community groups

· the school nurses and daycare providers, among others.

Through this strong coalition, we represent thousands of Maine people when we say “Vote No On Question 1”. We will stop this dangerous referendum as we continue to partner with those who know the high stakes in protecting Maine children from disease.

The opposition continues to use deception and half-truths to confuse and scare Mainers into doubts about vaccination. And while they drum up endless sources of disinformation – the outbreaks continue, while they offer no clear solutions or even what they stand for.

Take a moment to look at the time-trusted organizations that joined the No On 1 coalition. What do we stand for and value?

It is clear what I stand for. It has been clear since the day, after years of training and experience, that took the Hippocratic oath to prevent, heal and do no harm.

It has been clear for Maine physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and advanced practice nurses as we dutifully monitor the safe giving of 1,000s of protective vaccines a day.

It is clear to our health systems and hospitals, whose doors are open to skillfully evaluate and treat victims taken ill from preventable diseases.

It is clear to our school nurses who’ve dedicated their professional lives to building health in communities where students live learn work and play

And, it is clear to our churches who practice as Jesus preaches in Matthew 22 Verse 39- “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

I know this information age is tough and confusing. As a mom, I have often resprted to late night internet searches to quell my fears about parenting choices for health and well-being of my sons. Yet, unfortunately there are some serious and deadly issues that require us to trust our medical communities who have decades of study, experience and expertise. And, this is one of those issues.

Please trust us. Please join us with Maine Families For Vaccines, and Vote No On One to protect Maine’s children.

Thank you.