The hearing on the bill to limit vaccine exemptions attracts hundreds of people to Oregon's Capitol Building. New

A vaccination debate, spurred by a measles outbreak in the Portland area, brought hundreds of people together on Thursday in the capital of Capitol for the first hearing of a bill to eliminate some of the Exemption of existing vaccines in Oregon.

The normally sleepy hallways were filled with chubby kids, their delighted parents congregating around any television broadcasting hearings of the House Committee on Health Care. Two overflow rooms were quickly filled with people – many wearing stickers opposed to Bill 3063 – after the courtroom reached full capacity well before 3 pm. Start time.

The issue was a two-party bill that would eliminate the possibility for parents to refuse to vaccinate their children for religious or philosophical reasons, while keeping these children in public or private schools. Exemptions for medical reasons would still be allowed.

The HB 3063 was introduced on Monday, but lawmakers reacted for weeks to a measles outbreak that affected dozens of people in Clark County, Washington State.

"In recent years, when we discussed immunization policy, it was a theoretical discussion," said state representative Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland, the lead sponsor of the bill and the first one. witness to testify Thursday. "In the end, it's no longer a theoretical discussion. This is a very practical discussion.

Many people did not agree, despite the scientific knowledge on the ground that overwhelmingly supported the use of vaccines.

During many hours of testimony, parents and health professionals expressed doubts about the safety of vaccines.

Some talked about personal experiences or scenarios that they saw going through patients. Others have promised to leave the state if the bill is passed. Many have disputed the idea that Oregon could prevent the education of unvaccinated children.

"Vaccines can not be considered a single type of drug," said Leslie Hamlett, a naturopathic doctor in Portland. "You withdraw informed consent."

Legislators have also voted against the bill. State Representative Cedric Hayden, R-Roseburg, introduced an amendment that would maintain religious exemptions relating to vaccines in Oregon.

Senator Kim Thatcher, from R-Keizer, spoke out against a proposal that would "deprive parents of the right to make medical decisions for their children and give these rights to unelected bureaucrats." . "

Senator Jeff Golden, D-Medford, said his constituents worried about the speed of the bill and asked if there were "less radical and authoritarian options."

Equally moving testimony was favorable to the bill. Health professionals, representatives of the Oregon Health Authority, nurses and legislators have testified for.

Dr. Paul Cieslak, of the OHA, presented a range of public health benefits from herd immunity, which manifests itself when a high percentage of the population is vaccinated.

"Herd immunity has allowed us to eliminate smallpox from the world," Cieslak said. "Diseases like diphtheria and tetanus have become a curiosity."

Measles, several witnesses noted, is very contagious. A population needs about 93% of its vaccinated members to obtain a collective immunity.

Since the beginning of the year, Clark County, Washington State has confirmed more than 60 cases of measles, the vast majority of which involved unvaccinated children. Four cases have been confirmed in Oregon.

As noted by the OPB, vaccination rates in the Pacific Northwest are among the lowest in the country. According to the Oregon Health Authority, about 7.5% of preschool children in Oregon have called for an immunization exemption, the highest rate in the country.

From the beginning of Thursday's hearing, the debate revealed the emotional nature of the debate. Some witnesses escaped, and a public official said she was nervous about advocating for vaccines.

"Despite my strong beliefs on this issue … I was and still am nervous to testify here today," said Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran, a medical doctor. urgency that supports the bill. "I know that other elected officials who supported this policy have received hateful e-mails, phone calls and even death threats."

Under Oregon law, parents can currently opt out of vaccines for religious or philosophical reasons, once they have accessed educational materials online or spoken to a doctor.

Despite these factors, Democrat leaders said they hoped the HB 3063 would cross the finish line this year. A bill that would have reduced vaccine exemptions died in 2015, while opposition was strong.

"We have to solve it and we could do it next year," said House Speaker Tina Kotek on Thursday. "I think there is a lot of momentum in this direction."