Your testimony in support of HAR 11-157
is requested

A public hearing has just been scheduled for Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to Immunization (HAR 11-157). This policy will revise the current immunization policies for school attendance and entry.  Please submit testimony in support of these policy changes.

Testimony can be submitted by email to:  immunization@doh.hawaii.gov

All testimony shall be received no later than Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Hawaii Standard Time.

HEARING NOTICE

The proposed rules may be viewed at:

• Standard Version (“clean copy”):  https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/files/2018/09/HAR-11-157-Standard-9.6.18.pdf
• Ramseyer Version (“tracked changes”):  https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/files/2018/09/HAR-11-157-Ramseyer-9.6.18.pdf
• Exhibits A and B: https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/files/2018/09/HAR-11-157-Exhibits-A-and-B.pdf

Persons who are not able to attend the public hearing may submit written testimony to the DOH by mail at the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD), 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 443, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or by email at immunization@doh.hawaii.gov.

Sample Testimony

Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony. As a community member and public health advocate, I am writing to strongly support the HAR 11-157 proposed rules update.

These proposed changes will bring Hawaii’s rules into compliance with the most current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The proposed rules update is especially important for students first entering 7^th grade or higher to receive the HPV, MCV, and Tdap shots because of low uptake levels. This is especially true for the HPV vaccine which prevents HPV-related cancers that might otherwise occur later in life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that state and local vaccination requirements for daycare and school entry are important tools for maintaining high vaccination coverage rates, and in turn, lower rates of vaccine-preventable diseases.

No vaccine is 100% effective for everyone and not everyone can be vaccinated. Newborns and those with compromised immune systems – such as those experiencing chemotherapy or with autoimmune conditions – cannot be immunized. If approximately 93% of the population is vaccinated, vulnerable groups will stay protected. Immunized students are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and protect those who cannot be immunized.

Research demonstrates that communities with more vaccine exemptions are at greater risk for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Limiting exemptions to those that are medically indicated improves protection for our entire community, including those who are particularly vulnerable, the very young and our elders.

I respectfully request that the proposed changes to HAR 11-157 be supported and passed for the health of all of our communities.

Thank you for your consideration.