Before serving in the Legislature, I had the privilege of practicing family medicine in Gorham for 25 years. My favorite part of practice was delivering babies, and I worked closely with many young families as they navigated the new and exciting world of parenthood.
All of my patients cared deeply about the health and safety of their children, and it was my job to make sure that they received the best possible care. As such, I spent many, many hours over my career talking in great detail with new and expecting parents about the importance of vaccinations. I educated them about the relative risks and benefits to their children and the people they come in contact with, and emphasized that vaccines are safe, effective and necessary to prevent the spread of dangerous, infectious diseases. On this, there is scientific consensus.
However, in recent years, more and more parents have chosen not to vaccinate their children, and as a result, more and more children are getting sick. The World Health Organization has determined vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 health threats.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2019 there were 1,282 individual reported cases of measles across the country, the majority of which were in people who were not vaccinated. This is a 342 percent increase over the previous year, and constitutes the greatest number of measles cases reported since 1992. Measles is a serious disease that can result in brain swelling and even death in some cases. The cost, not just financial, to individuals and families is great, and outbreaks require expensive public health campaigns to mitigate.
Experts estimate that no more than five percent of school children can be opted out of receiving their vaccinations without putting children who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons at risk. In Maine, the number of parents choosing to opt their children out of receiving their childhood vaccinations is climbing well above that figure in many communities, putting infants, cancer patients and elders at risk.
That is why last year, after hearing many, many hours of emotional and thoughtful testimony from experts and citizens, and weeks of vigorous discussion and debate in both chambers, the Legislature passed Public Law 154, “An Act To Protect Maine Children and Students from Preventable Diseases by Repealing Certain Exemptions from the Laws Governing Immunization Requirements.” This new law strengthens the existing requirement that all children receive their vaccinations before enrolling in school, unless they have a medical reason why they cannot be vaccinated. It also gave health care providers more leeway to grant medical exemptions for vaccination, a change that was prompted by concerns raised during public testimony.
Opponents of this law have petitioned to have it voted on in a “people’s veto” referendum election on March 3. The language of the ballot measure is a bit confusing, so make sure you read it closely: Those who oppose the law should vote “yes” to overturn it, while those who support the law should vote “no” to prevent it from being rolled back. To learn more about the ballot measure, you may visit the Secretary of State’s website, or pick up a copy of the Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election at the Town Office.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact my office or send me an email. It’s an honor to serve as your state senator.
Linda Sanborn is serving her first term in the Maine Senate, representing Senate District 30, which includes Gorham, part of Buxton, and part of Scarborough. She previously served four terms in the Maine House, and practiced family medicine in Gorham for 25 years. Senator Sanborn lives in Gorham with her husband, Jeff, a Gorham native. They have three adult sons and one granddaughter.
(207) 287-1515 | Linda.Sanborn@Legislature.Maine.gov