New Hampshire Sets Up Vaccine Registry

Disturbing news from Laura Condon, NH Director of Advocacy for NVIC…

Please be aware that NH DHHS is working to put in place a State Vaccine Registry of all residents of NH, children and adults. NH law allows this to happen and on April 23 the Executive Council approved a 5-year contract with Scientific Technologies Corp from Arizona.

http://www.stchome.com/corporate-structure/

Check out their blog. This is a very militant company when it comes to vaccine policy.

Here is the link to the rules for the “Immunization Registry”.

http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/oos/aru/documents/hep307ip.pdf

There was a public hearing on May 22 but you still have time to send in your written objections and suggestions to these rules.
The deadline for written comments is this Thursday, May 29.

Please send your comments to Michael Holt, Rules Coordinator by fax (271-5590) or email [email protected]

One of the most offensive provisions of the proposed rules is that this is an “opt-out” registry where if you don’t want to be on the registry you must get a government form, fill it out, and file it with the NH DHHS where you will be put on a different list. Either way, you are on a government list! Declining should be as easy as saying no. A better alternative would for this registry to be an opt-in for those who want to be on the state’s list.

It is also very troubling that simply declining a vaccine will get you on the list as a refusal. A refusal is a “vaccination event” as shown in the definitions.

Please consider your most important objections to these proposed rules and write to Michael Holt today. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Simply write from the heart about what troubles you the most and your suggestions for changes.

FYI, these are the objections Laura submitted at the hearing on May 22:

Objections:

1. This voluntary Immunization Registry should be truly voluntary and be an OPT-IN program.

2. There should be no requirement to fill out any form, submit any form and be kept on any list for opting-out of this registry or refusing or delaying a vaccination.

3. To create a secondary list of individuals opting-out of the registry or refusing or delaying vaccination amounts to a REQUIRED registry of those who opt-out of this “voluntary” program.

4. There should be given notice at every interaction with a vaccine provider of the existence of the immunization registry and information on how to participate, with notice that this is optional, voluntary program and in no way impacts the medical records of vaccination maintained with one’s own doctor.

5. Any information provided as to the “benefits” of vaccines shall also provide information as to the risks and hazards of vaccines. In addition, all notices shall provide information on the existence of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and instructions on how to file a VAERS Report. All notices shall provide information on the existence of the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and information on where to find more information and file a claim.

6. Vaccinations are not a requirement for adults. This Immunization Registry should be limited to children under age 19.

7. Registry shall be limited to only those individuals who are residents. Simply being born here shall not qualify one for involvement in this Immunization Registry either through registration or opt-out.

8. Any request for this information from anyone other than a patient’s own doctor or the NH Immunization Division shall be denied. The need to know is simply not there.

9. It is necessary that members of the public involved in the Immunization Registry either through vaccination, refusal or opt out be notified and the given the opportunity to refuse disclosure of any information to any government agency or division other than the Immunization Division. Disclosure without notice and permission would constitute a warrantless search.

10. Definition of “vaccination event” shall be restricted to vaccination or administration of immunoglobulin (it’s not immunoblobin). It shall never be considered exemption or refusal of an offered vaccination.

11. For each vaccination event where the patient desires to be part of this registry, it shall also be required to document any subsequent illness, either for which the vaccine was targeted or other illness, any subsequent health disorder such as seizures or diabetes or autism that did not exist prior to the vaccination, any death for any cause that follows any vaccination within a six month period. This would ensure that this tracking program has some benefit to the public.

12. Withdrawal from the Registry shall be available to all patients at any time. When notice of withdrawal is provided, all information contained on the patient shall be stricken from the database.

13. Any resident of NH shall have the right to contact the Immunization Section directly, without having to go through a vaccination provider, for copies of their vaccination record or even inquiry if they are listed in the registry. Such individuals shall have the right to correct any errors in the Registry directly with the Immunization Section.

14. Marketing Prohibition: It shall be prohibited to use the information contained in this “Immunization Registry” to contact residents of the state by any means (electronically, by phone, by mail) to target them individually for vaccination(s) in an effort to increase vaccine sales and “uptake”.

15. The NH Vaccine Association is an assessment entity. There is no legitimate need to know even statistical information from this Immunization Registry. No information shall be provided to the NH Vaccine Association.the NH Vaccine Association.