From Autism Action Network (find them on FB at Autism Action Network.)

The Tennessee legislature is considering a bill HB288, the "Jacob Nunley Act", that would require mandatory bacterial meningitis shots for students at public universities and colleges (but not private) in Tennessee.  It has already passed the Tennessee Senate and is moving in the House. It is on the agenda for the Government Operations Committee today (March 19^th)

Tennesseans, please get on the phone today and politely tell the members of the Government Operations Committee why this is not a good idea. Their contact info is below:

Here are some talking points:

The shot is ineffective. It only reduces bacterial meningitis infection by 38% according to the manufacturers’ bestcase scenario.

It has a 1.3% rate of serious adverse reactions, which include encephalitis, Guillain-Barr syndrome and transverse myelitis, according to the package insert for Menactra. At that rate more people could be made sick, disabled and killed by the vaccine than the disease itself. According to the bill sponsors there were seven cases of bacterial meningitis in Tennessee last year, which includes the fatal infection of Jacob Nunley.

It is expensive. The shot costs $125 plus doctor's fees. Scarce health resources could be spent on alternatives that would result in less sickness and fewer deaths.

There is no choice. Adults should be allowed to make their own vaccination choices without coercion from the state. The majority of Americans live in states where that right is protected, but not in Tennessee.

Please share this message with friends and family and please post to Facebook and other social networks.

Here is the contact information for the Tennessee House Government Operations Committee members:

Judd Matheny, Chair

Phone (615) 741-7448
Fax (615) 253-0226