No recourse

Although others have written about the importance of vaccination in light of the measles outbreak in Southwestern Washington, our representative Joe Schmick believes that decision is best left up to parents and their doctors! He is known as the healthcare expert, so he must know that if people who can be vaccinated are not, like in Southwestern Washington, it can lead to epidemics. If only those who chose not to vaccinate were affected, that would not be such an issue. However, children younger than 15 months who cannot yet be vaccinated, people undergoing cancer treatment, and those with other medical conditions that make them more susceptible to measles are also affected.

They have no recourse except to try to stay away from public places. So it is not just the parents' philosophical objection that must be weighed, but the health of those in our community that cannot be vaccinated that will suffer.

--Charlotte K. Omoto, Pullman

Rep. Schmick in his Feb. 8 legislative update reported over 300 people signed in to testify against House Bill 1638 which would eliminate philosophical or personal objection exemption from measles, mumps, rubella vacine. Schmick said he continues to believe everybody should be vaccinated but also believes decisions like this are best left up to parents and their doctors.