CEO DATELINE - American Medical Association urges end to vaccine exemptions
CEO DATELINE - American Medical Association urges end to vaccine exemptions
- June 10, 2015 |
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Walt Williams
Group also weighs in on fracking, concussions
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Parents should no longer be allowed to cite their religious or personal beliefs for refusing to vaccinate their children, according to a new policy adopted by the American Medical Association Tuesday.
Many states allow parents to opt out of mandatory vaccinations for their children before sending them to school if the medical procedure violates their beliefs. But critics say the exemptions diminish the overall effectiveness of vaccines by reducing the number of children vaccinated, which allows diseases to spread to vulnerable populations like the very young.
Under the new policy adopted by AMA's House of Delegates, the association only supports exemptions for medical reasons. It is urging states to strike any laws that allow other exemptions.
Vaccinations are not the only topic AMA has addressed in recent days:
- The association is calling for disclosure of chemicals used in the drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." The process involves pumping a mixture of water and chemicals into the ground at high pressure to extract oil or natural gas. Most states don't require companies to disclose the chemicals used, but AMA said that information should be shared with physicians and the public.
- AMA adopted a new policy aimed at reducing concussions in youth sports. The association recommends that youth athletes suspected of having a concussion are to be removed immediately from the activity and allowed to return only with a physician's written consent. Also proposed: new guidelines for evaluating and managing concussions in all athletes.
- The association also is seeking to increase awareness about risks of wearing headphones while engaged in activities like jogging and bicycling. "There have been more and more reports of people becoming injured during outdoor activity because they were distracted by headphones and we believe the best way to help curb this trend is to make sure the public is aware of the high potential for injury," said AMA President Robert Wah.
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