Response from Stakeholder

We have carried out our political action plan by creating a petition and e-mailing each of our key stakeholders, as well as our legislator. Our petition currently has 41 supporters. We did not receive responses from the legislator, vaccine manufacturers, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Speaks, as well as other key stakeholders. We did receive one response, however, from Patricia Arleo. We will continue to advocate for further research regarding this legislation both within our classrooms and within our profession. We will also continue to update this blog with any further information regarding contacted key stakeholders.

After emailing Patricia Arleo, a special-education teacher and health activist who has been working with children affected by autism for twenty-five years, we received the following email in return:

November 1, 2009

Dear Mercury-Free Vaccine bloggers,

Thank you for your interest in this bill and for notifying me about its progress in Congress through your blog. As an educator, I have seen the challenges children with autism face on an everyday basis. I have long been aware of the potential effects that mercury levels, even in the small doses that vaccines may contain, can have on children and their development. I have learned from my own research about the possible correlation between autism and such mercury-containing vaccines, notably the increase in autism cases with the increase in childhood vaccinations. In my experience, I have spoken with many parents who have refused to vaccinate their children for fear of this outcome. It is my opinion that children should be vaccinated in order to eliminate preventable diseases. However, I also recognize parental concerns about mercury levels in vaccinations. I believe that the Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2009 will ensure that we keep out of vaccines what is potentially causing harm to our nation's children. Whether or not there is a link between autism and mercury-containing vaccinations, if we can eliminate the risk, we should. I believe that by doing so, it will also give parents the peace of mind they need in order to continue to vaccinate their children.

Your blog also mentioned the flu vaccine, especially the new H1N1 vaccine. I have noticed in my profession and neighborhood that parents are especially worried this year that their children will contract the flu. Some states, such as New York, have been declared to be in a state of emergency based on the number of flu cases already this year. As a result, it is imperative that children especially receive the vaccination this season. I was unaware that mercury was in some of these vaccinations, and I am sure many parents are unaware of this as well. If mercury is removed from some of the flu vaccines, it should be removed from them all. Or, at least we should be more aware of its existence in them. After reading the provisions of this bill and understanding the current issue surrounding it, I can say that I support its passage in Congress and the efforts that your blog is making to raise awareness and support.

Sincerely,

Patricia Arleo
Essex County Commission, Essex County, NJ
Special-Education Teacher