NJ Governor Chris Christie and Conscientious Exemption to Mandatory Immunization.

FROM THE NEW JERSEY COALITION FOR VACCINATION CHOICE

February 17, 2011

The religious exemption to mandatory vaccination is at extreme risk in New Jersey. Keep reading to understand how this affects all Americans.

Today, the General Assembly is voting on Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR)157 that seeks for the state to determine the criteria under which a parent will be permitted to obtain a religious exemption to mandatory vaccination for day care and school admission.

A Concurrent Resolution is adopted by both houses (the Senate and Assembly) to express policy or opinions of the Legislature... Requires no action by the Governor.

TAKE ACTION NOW If you agree, we ask that you take the following time-sensitive actions immediately: All Americans should call NJ Governor Chris Christie now at 609-292-6000 and tell him you oppose ACR157. He is taking a tally of calls and they are not asking for names. If you are questioned, you can say that Governor Christie has been vocal in his support of parental vaccination choice. You wish to understand the position of his health commissioner, and how they would propose to determine what consitutes a valid religious exemption. New Jerseyans should call Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver at 973-395-1166 (1724 fax). She has the power to pull the resolution. She can also tell us which constituent requested this resolution. Was it a pharmaceutical company? New Jerseyans should call their assemblypeople and tell them to vote NO to ACR157. While you are on the calls, please also express your support for A2450, the Conscientious Exemption to Mandatory Immunization. Our bill was moving in the Assembly and was supposed to be posted for a vote in the Education Committee on February 10. It was pulled by "General Assembly leadership" with no warning, and no reason. It was later explained to us that "it didn't look good" to be voting on this bill because it sent a "mixed message."

A Slippery Slope New Jersey today, your state tomorrow? Forty-eight states have the religious exemption. Some, such as New York, are "witch hunt" states that permit "sincerity trials" to determine whether you are legitimately entitled to claim an exemption. Very few parents are able to homeschool their children. Many say they will leave the state before they are forced to vaccinate their children against their wishes, as a condition of public school admission. When you consider what is at stake, please take a few minutes to make several phone calls. A strong pushback in one state will send a strong message to state governments across the country that citizens will staunchly defend their First Amendment rights and their parental rights.

Thank you!

The New Jersey Coalition for Vaccination Choice (NJCVC)