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Should NH remove hepatitis B vaccine requirements?

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Rep. Valerie Fraser is sponsoring two bills that would end the requirement for children to be vaccinated against hepatitis B.

HB 361 would only allow the state to require vaccines for diphtheria, mumps, whooping cough, polio, rubella, measles, and tetanus.  Right now the Department of Health and Human Services also requires vaccines for hepatitis B and chickenpox.

HB 362 would prohibit any vaccine requirement “for diseases that are noncommunicable in a child care or school setting, including, but not limited to, hepatitis B.” 

Those who argue against mandatory vaccines often assert that adverse reactions to the hepatitis B vaccine are more common than cases of the disease among children.  Hepatitis B is very rare among children in the United States and is not nearly as contagious as other diseases, such as whooping cough.

Opponents of Fraser’s bill point to evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which shows no link between the hepatitis B vaccine and health problems.  Hepatitis B, however, can lead to lifelong liver damage.  Children also may not show symptoms of hepatitis B, which makes it more likely that the disease can spread without adults noticing. 

New Hampshire law has an exemption from vaccine requirements for medical or religious reasons. 

Do you think New Hampshire should continue to require the hepatitis B vaccine for children?  Let us know in the comments.

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