Jim Capone

Dear New Hampshire Legislators, I am writing to urgently oppose House Bill 358, which threatens the health and safety of New Hampshire's children by unnecessarily weakening our vaccine exemption process. The proposed bill would remove the critical requirement of a formal documentation process for religious vaccine exemptions. This seemingly small change could have significant and dangerous consequences for our community's public health. Vaccines are not a personal choice—they are a public health imperative. By removing structured documentation, we create multiple risks: 1) We eliminate accountability in the exemption process. 2) We make it easier to obtain exemptions without serious consideration. 3) We potentially compromise the community immunity that protects our most vulnerable populations. Immunizations are fundamental to keeping our children healthy and our schools safe. They prevent serious diseases like measles, tetanus, and rubella—illnesses that can cause severe, lifelong complications or even death. When vaccination rates drop, we put entire communities at risk, particularly those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions. The current system of requiring a formal exemption form serves an important purpose: it ensures parents fully understand the implications of their decision and the potential risks to their children and community. I strongly urge you to reject HB358 and maintain our state's responsible approach to vaccine exemptions. Sincerely, Jim Capone Concerned New Hampshire Resident