No more ‘opt outs’

Our “enlightened state of Washington” has a very well informed population. They know that vaccines still contain dangerous poisons, they know that the diseases — even polio — were very nearly eradicated when clean water became available, they know that those diseases only made a comeback when vaccines were brought into the scene and they know that parents have the right to make informed decisions about their children’s health.

So before you ride on that high horse again, do a decent amount of research and don’t run off at the keyboard with phrases you were spoon fed by an institution whose primary goal is to make money — not create a healthy population. No money in that.

Diane Jones

Bellevue

Encourage immunizations

Thanks for your editorial “No more opts out” in this week’s edition the Bellevue Reporter. We need this kind of support for the childhood immunization, especially here in the state of Washington where we have had one of the lowest immunization rates in the country in recent years.

I have been involved in the statewide immunization efforts of the Group Health Foundation in recent years because of my concern for this major public health issue.

As an aside, I was with the Bellevue American newspaper for 11 years and was Editor of the paper from 1960 to 1967 before leaving to join Governor Dan Evans as one of his top aides.

Glad to see that there is still a Bellevue newspaper because I continue to live in Bellevue and because the news media plays an important role in what makes healthy communities.

Neil McReynolds

Bellevue