SF 1520 is a proposed change to Minnesota law that would remove the right of families to conscientiously object to one, some, or all of the childhood vaccinations required for school. Because it would also impact homeschooled families, it would be the strictest vaccine mandate of any state in the union. This vaccine mandate would disregard the Nuremberg Code and the right to informed consent prior to medical procedures.

Several vaccines pertain only to illnesses spread outside of normal school behavior, such as Hepatitis B and Tetanus. Haemophilius influenzae type b is only a threat to children younger than school age, and not recommended for children over the age of five. None of these should be required for school or homeschool registration.

The DNA of aborted babies is an ingredient in many vaccines, including Chickenpox, Hepatitis A, and MMR, with no ethical alternatives available in the United States. Families whose religion opposes abortion have the Constitutional right to object to forced vaccination.

No vaccine is without risk, and even the vaccine manufacturers and the federal government acknowledge this. Parents know their children best and must be allowed to make this decision on their behalf.

Even in 100% vaccinated populations, illnesses can still spread; because of vaccine failure, even a 100% vaccination rate does not guarantee an illness-free population. At an average of a 97% vaccination rate, our country is already well above the 90%-95% rate required for theoretical "herd immunity." In addition, some vaccines contain live-viruses, which may actually increase the spread of the illness.

Already, vaccine injections for children have increased 414% from 7 in 1950 to 36 in 2013. Because this bill would mandate whatever vaccines the health commissioner deems necessary, more vaccines could be added to the list without any citizen input.

For whatever good vaccines may do, the state government should not seize Minnesota families' fundamental human right to bodily autonomy.

Whether for or against any particular vaccine, I oppose vaccine mandates. By signing this petition, I am willing to have my name shared with law makers. At the next election, I will reconsider any candidate who supports mandatory vaccination. I do not support MN SF1520.