Suzanne Allison

I strongly urge you to oppose this bill. There is no scientific evidence that supports removing Hepatitis B vaccine from the required school vaccinations. Hepatitis B is often called a "hidden" disease as people who have it are often unaware they have it. It is very easily transmitted through blood and body fluids (and the virus can live outside the body for a long time), putting our most vulnerable (children) at risk for the lifelong consequences (even death) from chronic Hepatitis B infection. In addition to clinical trials, decades of use in infants and young children and follow up surveillance show NO safety signals and immunizing young children has been successful in decreasing the burden of this disease. Please do not sow confusion among parents by politicizing health information. Please oppose HB 1719. Thank you.