Religion and ignorance should no longer be acceptable excuses to not vaccinate children, according to the BC Humanist Association as Vancouver is in the midst of a measles outbreak.
The provincial government is in the process of establishing an immunization registry that parents will have to record their children's vaccination status prior to their school enrolment. A similar law in Ontario requires anyone claiming a philosophical or religious objection to vaccines to attend a 30-minute presentation on the benefits of vaccines.
Dr Bonnie Henry, BC's Provincial Health Officer told Global News:
If you have a philosophical reason, then yes, I do think there needs to be an education process, whether that’s taking a module or having a structured (discussion) with a clinician — either the medical health officer or designate — and then an official form signed saying you recognize the risks of not immunizing your child.
Humanists support public health campaigns that are strongly supported by scientific evidence. The BCHA looks forward to the scrutinizing the details of the new provincial registry.
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