FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Poll finds 95% of Kansans support wellness vaccines
As some Kansas lawmakers try to dilute state immunization requirements
Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 9, 2022 – Nurture KC commissioned a statewide survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, to see how Kansas voters actually felt about vaccines. The results were just publicly released tonight by Tracy Russell, Executive Director of Nurture KC, at the Immunize Kansas Coalition’s virtual legislative reception. The Kansas immunization poll results may surprise you.
Key Findings
• 95% of Kansas voters believe taking vaccines for such diseases as measles, mumps and polio is “extremely” or “very important” to maintaining good health.
• Across political party lines, Kansas residents strongly believe wellness immunizations are safe, effective and important to stay healthy (94% to 99% depending on party).
• More than 90% of Kansans support wellness vaccine requirements for children to attend school and childcare, and think the authority to set vaccine policy should be left to the state’s health department, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
Why does this matter?
“Like every state, Kansas requires routine vaccinations to keep our infants and children healthy. But there have been efforts to greatly relax immunization requirements, turning back the clock on one of the most important disease prevention tools of the 20th century,” says Russell. “Our comprehensive survey results find that these proposals are out of step and do not represent the beliefs of the vast majority of Kansans. In these uncertain times, routine wellness immunizations is actually a topic with overwhelming bipartisan support.”
This article by The Kansas City Star gives details on immunization politics and how extreme anti-vax legislators may “do their damage quietly … with few hearings or open discussion.”
“These extreme politics are why it’s critical that 95% of Kansans speak-up for what they believe in – routine wellness immunizations,” says Ali Hilton, Director of the Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC), a program of Nurture KC. “Contact your state representative or senator to let them know Kansas vaccine requirements should not be altered. These standards keep us safe.”
Nurture KC works to reduce infant mortality and improve family health for KC metro families who need the most support. We do so through public policy action and three main programs: Healthy Start, Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) and the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Committee (FIMR). Nurture KC is committed to health equity for all families – regardless of race, place or circumstance – because we all deserve the opportunity to be healthy. Check out our web site at www.nurturekc.org and 2020 Annual Report to see our tangible results. Also, be sure to visit us on Facebook and Twitter. Nurture KC is located at 1111 W. 39th Street, Suite 100, KC, MO 64111.
