Lives depend on removal of exemption for vaccines

As a practicing nurse and a mom, I’ve long known why vaccines are such a critical part of our health care system — both for the public’s health and that of the individual. But until I was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago, I didn’t realize how personal the issue could become.

I spent an entire day recently at our state capitol, waiting for my chance to tell lawmakers why I think they should pass HB 5044 — which would eliminate the current religious exemption for vaccines in Connecticut. There were hundreds of people there, both for and against the bill.

But, for me — it’s personal. My life depends on others being vaccinated, as my chemotherapy has wiped out my immune system.

I have a rare genetic form of cancer called BIRP 1 gene. It puts me had a higher risk for ovarian and breast cancer. I have stage 3 breast cancer. It is very hard to detect ovarian cancer. I have surgery in March to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes. That will be followed by continued radiation treatment.

When you’re immuno-compromised and on chemotherapy, exposure to disease like the flu, measles or worse can have life-threatening consequences.

In fact, being at the hearing in Hartford was really the first time I’d ventured out since my latest round of chemotherapy ended a few weeks ago. I made the decision to be there because it might help others in a similar situation. I know not every patient has the strength or ability to travel and speak up — and I wanted to be their voice.

Even with my knowledge as a health care provider, about how important vaccination is — I was shocked to learn that many schools right here in Connecticut are failing when it comes to state-mandated immunizations.

Frankly, the growing use of the “non-medical exemption” in our state is putting our children and patients like me at risk.

With recent measles outbreaks in New York and cases here in Connecticut, we’re moving in the wrong direction. Vaccinations not only help protect those who receive the vaccine, but also those who cannot be vaccinated because of medical conditions.

Good vaccination rates in our schools are critically important to the children who cannot be safely vaccinated. These same children are less able to fight off illness when they are exposed and are at greater risk because of a compromised immune system. In some cases, herd immunity is critical to their survival. And it’s not just kids. Adults like me fighting cancer, living with auto immune diseases, those who can’t be vaccinated for other health reasons.

Public health is too important to allow the religious exemption to continue to be misused. I urge all of Connecticut’s lawmakers, but specifically my representatives, state Rep. Kim Rose and state Sen. James Maroney to vote to pass HB 5044 as soon as possible. The lives of people like me depend on it.

Mel Melcon / TNS A vial containing the MMR vaccine is loaded into a syringe.