On March 3, Maine voters will weigh in on the Question 1 ballot referendum, deciding whether or not to overturn LD 798, the bill removing religious and philosophical exemptions from the state’s school vaccination law.
Last May, the Maine Senate voted to eliminate those two nonmedical vaccination exemptions for students to attend public or private schools, as well as colleges and day care facilities, and for employees of health care facilities in the state. Gov. Janet Mills then signed the bill into law, to go into effect Sept. 2021.
We will hear from both sides on Question 1 regarding vaccination efficacy, private versus government decisionmaking and other issues raised by the ballot referendum.
Editor's note: This version of the program has been edited from the original broadcast to correct a reporter error during the conversation.
Guests
Dr. Laura Blaisdell, pediatrician, Maine Families for Vaccines, representing "No on 1"
Cara Sacks, campaign manager, Yes on 1 Maine to Reject Big Pharma
Patty Wight, health reporter, Maine Public
Steve Mistler, State House bureau chief, Maine Public
Resources
- LD 798: An Act To Protect Maine Children and Students from Preventable Diseases by Repealing Certain Exemptions from the Laws Governing Immunization Requirements
- Parents' Concerns At Issue On Both Sides Of Maine's Vaccination Referendum Debate
- The Fundraising Gap Is Narrowing In Maine’s Vaccination Campaign. But Who’s Behind The Spending?
- Vaccine Exemption Debate Sparks Memories For Mainers Who Survived Polio
- Battle Lines Drawn In Fight Over Vaccination Exemptions In Maine
- Maine doctors, parents launch No on One campaign to support immunization
- Maine CDC Immunization Rate Assessment Reports
- Disneyland Visitor With Measles May Have Exposed Hundreds to Infection
- National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program