Target: Daniel Perez, Speaker of Florida House of Representatives
Goal: Speak out against rollback of vaccines in state public schools.
At the start of the 20th century, an astonishing 100 to 200 infants died per 1,000 births. Nearly one in five children passed away before they reached the age of five. Of some major diseases, over two-and-a-half million people died annually from measles, while another once-prevalent illness – polio – killed up to ten percent of individuals it infected. Within a few decades, these numbers had dropped drastically. Polio and measles were eradicated, and the infant mortality rate plummeted to 20 per 1,000 births. Many medical advancements contributed to this drastic turnaround, with arguably the most prominent being the rise of vaccines. American leaders recognized the medical miracles they had been gifted by making immunizations a critical component of public school attendance nationwide. Now, one state wants to begin a disastrous trend to take back decades of progress…and imperil the lives of millions of children in the process.
The Florida Department of Health, with the full backing of Governor Ron DeSantis, has announced that it will make routine childhood immunizations optional for all school children, which really means optional for all school children’s parents. Among the vaccines initially in the crosshairs are ones for Hepatitis B, diphtheria, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and chickenpox. Florida legislators could also agree to repeal other vaccine mandates, including for polio and measles. The state’s surgeon general even offensively compared requiring these life-saving treatments to “slavery,” especially ironic given state educational leaders’ attempts to downplay slavery in school curriculums.
The effects of this reckless political decision will cascade and endanger people — in particular the most vulnerable – across the country. Sign the petition below to demand Florida politicians put a stop to destabilizing decades of pediatric care.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Speaker Perez,
Immunizations are so important to children for a reason. Kids are more vulnerable to infection and have been disproportionately and tragically impacted by lethal illnesses for centuries, from smallpox to polio to measles. When families first had the opportunity to protect their youngest members from these unforgiving ailments, they were relieved and thankful. And America’s leaders recognized the crucial tools they had acquired in bettering the nation’s public health.
Childhood school immunization initiatives saved lives. Weakening this system for political points will only punish children, especially immuno-compromised kids or children too young to yet receive protection. Do you not care about putting your most vulnerable in harm’s way? Have you and your colleagues already forgotten the consequences – including three dead children – of the measles outbreak in Texas?
If you won’t think about them, think about your bottom line. Will a state that becomes the hot-spot for every manner of once-eradicated illnesses really maintain its plum spot as a top tourist destination? And how will it reflect on Florida when tourists take these illnesses back with them as lifelong “souvenirs”?
This legislature has the power of veto. Where you go, other states will follow. If you don’t want millions of preventable deaths on your conscience, say “no more” and end the unconscionable attack on Florida’s childhood immunization standards.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Orthokin
