Vote NO on WV SB 460

Please vote NO to SB460!

Vote NO to WV SB 460

Protect WV's Children

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WV Senate Bill 460 threatens our state's strong immunization laws by allowing broad non-medical exemptions for childhood immunizations (school vaccines).

Please protect WV's kids and vote NO

🚨 Why Vaccine Laws Exist

It’s heartbreaking when a child experiences health struggles, but history has shown us why vaccine laws exist and why exemptions must be limited to true medical contraindications.

Since vaccine mandates, cases of vaccine-preventable diseases have dropped by over 90%, and childhood deaths from these diseases are now incredibly rare (Orenstein & Ahmed, NEJM, 2017).

🚨 Why Are Vaccine Mandates Necessary?

I absolutely believe that parents should be able to make informed choices about their children’s health—but infectious diseases don’t just affect individual families. They spread.

If vaccines were purely a personal decision, there would be no need for mandates. But because unvaccinated individuals can spread disease to infants, cancer patients, and those who cannot be vaccinated, vaccine laws exist to prevent outbreaks and save lives.

The 2019 measles outbreak in New York occurred primarily in unvaccinated communities and resulted in over 1,200 cases and dozens of hospitalizations (Patel et al., JAMA, 2020)

The 2017 Minnesota measles outbreak infected 75 children, most of whom were unvaccinated, and led to severe complications in infants (Hall et al., CID, 2017)

Polio reappeared in New York in 2022 for the first time in decades, and the wastewater showed widespread community transmission—all in an area with lower vaccination rates (CDC, 2022)

🚨 If Vaccines Are So Good, Why Do We Have To Make Them Required?

Because we don’t make life-saving public health measures optional when they affect everyone.

Seat belts save lives, yet they are required by law.

Food safety regulations prevent contamination, yet they are required by law.

Clean water laws prevent disease outbreaks, yet they are required by law.

Vaccine laws exist because the consequences of not vaccinating don’t just impact one family—they impact entire communities.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON SB 460

🛑 A Personal Message About SB 460 and Childhood Immunizations - By Kara Piechowski, PharmD, Medical Student

Hi friends,

I know there’s a lot of debate about childhood immunizations right now—especially with WV Senate Bill 460. I grew up in Braxton County and I love this state. I want to talk to you not as a medical student or pharmacist, but as someone who deeply cares about our kids, our families, and our community.

💉 Immunizations shouldn’t be political—they’re personal. They’re about protecting our most vulnerable neighbors, our newborn babies, our grandmothers, and even kids too sick to be vaccinated themselves.

I know some of you may have doubts or have heard stories that make you worry. I understand this and I appreciate and value your concern. It’s what makes you a good mom, a good dad, or a good friend.

Also, I think it’s healthy and responsible to question information given to you. Yes, pharmacists and doctors train many years to be experts in medicine, and they are. But I don’t think everyone, even in that healthcare field group, should be trusted blindly. Best practices need to be evidenced-based, not just what your doctor says. And when my doctor tells me something, I ask for data and the facts.

But the thing is, when evidence exists, you must review it. And then when it’s good, you should trust it. Because if you ignore evidence, very dangerous things can happen. I mean that sincerely, not as a scare tactic (another thing I hate surrounding health).

So, this is what I know (not my healthcare opinion):

✅In West Virginia, children are required to receive certain immunizations before attending school. These typically include immunizations against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP), polio (IPV), hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox). While other vaccines are recommended, these are the only ones required and what SB460 will affect.

✅Immunizations have been safely given for generations. They don’t cause autism, infertility, or long-term harm. We know this from decades of research and real-life experience. I’ve created a quick table of recent data (even more data exists) on the required immunizations. I encourage you to read through the articles. You don’t have to blindly trust me.

✅In addition, I’ve put together a table of common claims I hear against immunizations. Please read through! Again, research shows childhood immunzations are safe and effective.

✅Cool, cool. But you may be wondering “what data exists that DO show negative consequences or side effects from vaccines?” These are what anti-vaxxers tend to try to scare you with. And like I mentioned, I get it. It’s okay to worry. But I encourage you to read through this table too. Because the risk is extremely low. While risk is there, healthcare professionals feel the benefit far outweighs the risk. I agree.

Serious adverse events are exceedingly rare, especially when compared to those associated with common medications.

✅WV has one of the best childhood immunization laws in the country—our kids are healthier because of it. We have fewer outbreaks of dangerous diseases like measles and whooping cough than most states. Montani Semper Liberi – Mountaineers are always free (from vaccine-preventable disease; let’s keep it that way!)

✅This isn’t about forcing anyone to do anything—it’s about keeping our schools safe. If SB 460 passes, WV will start seeing more preventable diseases, and that means more kids missing school, more hospitalizations, and more families suffering.

I’m here to ask you to stand with me—not because I’m a health professional, but because I love West Virginia and want what’s best for our families.🩺

If you have questions or concerns, I’m happy to talk. I believe in respectful, open conversations because we all want the same thing—a healthy, strong West Virginia.

Love,

Kara

#ProtectWVKids #WVStrong #VaccinesSaveLives

Why It Matters (Quick Facts)

Dangers of SB 460:

• 📉 Weakens WV’s strong childhood immunization policy

• 🏥 Increases risk of preventable disease outbreaks

• 👶 Endangers children & public health

• 💰 Strains healthcare resources