UPDATE: WITHDRAWN! Action Alert: Please Ask Senator Klausmeier to Withdraw SB857, and Ask the Finance Committee to OPPOSE This Bill, Which Would Require Hospitals to Vaccinate Patients for Influenza Viruses and Pneumococcal Disease
TEXT OF SB857 – Hospital Flu Vaccines:
Requiring hospitals to immunize patients against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease except under certain circumstances; and providing for the manner of obtaining consent for and conducting the immunizations for a hospital patient.
Thanks to our members, this bill has been withdrawn. Please email/call Senator Klausmeier and thank her for listening to what Marylanders really want!
why icm opposes SB857
- There is no evidence of community or individual benefit from implementing this policy. The CDC reports 19-52% effectiveness of influenza vaccines over the past decade with an average of 40% effectiveness; there is no justification for state government to require individual hospitals to require influenza or other vaccinations for any patient.
- All patients admitted to hospitals in the state of Maryland have access to influenza vaccination. It is invasive and unnecessary to legislate any medical procedure.
- Scientific evidence refutes the assertion that requiring vaccination reduces individual or community-wide transmission of influenza.
- Extensive evidence documents potential adverse effects of vaccinations for some patients. Vaccination is an individual decision to be managed by healthcare providers and their patients; mandates imposed by state government is inappropriate.
Who to contact about SB857
There will be a hearing for SB857 before the Finance Committee on Thursday, 3/17/2022 at 1:00 PM.
URGENT: We’re asking all members to call and email bill sponsor Senator Klausmeier and the members of Finance Committee and let them know, in your own words, why you oppose SB857.
Phone 410-841-3620 | 301-858-3620
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3620
e-mail: katherine.klausmeier@senate.state.md.us
If you’re a constituent of hers – in District 8 – let her know!
Please copy and paste the following email addresses of the Finance Committee members into the BCC section of your email in opposition of SB857:
Please call the offices of the Finance Committee members in opposition of SB857:
Phone 410-841-3606 | 301-858-3606
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3606
Phone 410-841-3169 | 301-858-3169
Fax 410-841-3607 | 301-858-3607
Phone 410-841-3745 | 301-858-3745
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3745
Phone 410-841-3593 | 301-970-3593
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3593
Phone 410-841-3148 | 301-858-3148
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3148
Phone 410-841-3656 | 301-858-3656
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3656
Senator Stephen S. Hershey, Jr.
Phone 410-841-3639 | 301-858-3639
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3639
Phone 410-841-3706 | 301-858-3706
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3706
Phone 410-841-3151 | 301-858-3151
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3151
Phone 410-841-3683 | 301-858-3683
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3683
Please note: Rules for submitting written and oral testimony have changed this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, and can be viewed here. We’re asking members for phone calls, emails, and written testimony only at this time.
Please spread the word! Let’s flood the offices of Senator Klausmeier and the Finance committee members with polite, respectful, forceful emails and phone calls. They need to hear our voices!