Dear Governor Justice,

As fellow West Virginians, we're reaching out to you with heartfelt urgency, asking for your support in vetoing HB 5105. This bill threatens to weaken our essential immunization requirements, a move that could put our children at risk of preventable diseases like measles, polio, and pertussis.

We're proud of our state's strong record when it comes to childhood immunizations, especially in the face of recent challenges. While other places struggle with measles outbreaks, we've been fortunate to avoid any cases since 2009.

But maintaining our immunization rates isn't just about protecting our kids—it's about safeguarding our entire community. You see, there are specific thresholds we need to meet to keep everyone safe. For instance, a 95% immunization rate against measles helps prevent its spread to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. And for polio, we need at least an 80% immunization rate to keep things running smoothly. When we fall short of these targets, we risk outbreaks that affect us all, like the one in Washington state that kept over 800 children out of school and daycare.

This isn't just about parents worrying over their kids. It affects our elderly, our teachers, our healthcare workers, and our hospitals. Preventable diseases put a strain on our community's well-being and could overwhelm our healthcare system.

And let's not forget about the broader impact on our state—on our jobs, our economy, and even our tourism. If we're seen as vulnerable to diseases that can be prevented, we might scare off visitors and investors. By vetoing HB 5105, we're not just standing up for public health; we're showing our commitment to keeping our communities strong and resilient.

Sincerely, 

Your constituents