AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine House overwhelmingly rejected a bill Monday that would have extended the protections of the Maine Human Rights Act to Mainers opposed to vaccinations.
Rep. David Sawicki, an Auburn Republican, told his seat mates that those who choose not to have their children vaccinated should not have to feel like second-class citizens because of their decisions. And he said there is plenty of scientific evidence in medical journals that makes a connection between vaccinations and disorders such as autism.
"There is a link in the scientific literature and we need to respect that science and not just blindly accept a medical product because a pharmaceutical company that makes a ton of money off of it tells us, it's good for us," said Sawicki.
Opponents voted 102-42 against Sawicki's bill, saying that it minimized the value of vaccines and could discourage public acceptance of vaccination programs. The bill faces additional votes in the House and Senate.
Democratic Rep. Matt Moonen said the Human Rights Act is intended to protect against discrimination of traits people can't choose, like race and sex, and not a choice, like whether someone was vaccinated.