---UPDATE 6/13 9:30am
Jessica Biel has released a statement regarding reports that she is an anti-vaccination activist. "This week I went to Sacramento to talk to legislators in California about a proposed bill. I am not against vaccinations — I support children getting vaccinations and I also support families having the right to make educated medical decisions for their children alongside their physicians. My concern with#SB277is solely regarding medical exemptions. My dearest friends have a child with a medical condition that warrants an exemption from vaccinations, and should this bill pass, it would greatly affect their family’s ability to care for their child in this state. That’s why I spoke to legislators and argued against this bill. Not because I don’t believe in vaccinations, but because I believe in giving doctors and the families they treat the ability to decide what’s best for their patients and the ability to provide that treatment. I encourage everyone to read more on this issue and to learn about the intricacies of#SB277. Thank you to everyone who met with me this week to engage in this important discussion!"
On Tuesday, environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, whose recent work has focused on allegations that vaccines are unsafe, appeared at the California State Assembly with actress Jessica Biel by his side.
In 2015, it was reported that Biel and her husband Justin Timberlake, did not plan on vaccinating their children. A source had told In Touch that “She feels that vaccination could cause complications." Biel has never publicly commented but on a phone call with The Daily Beast, Kennedy confirms that the actress was “upset about this issue because of its particular cruelty. I would say that she was for safe vaccines and for medical freedom,” Kennedy said.
The conversation continues with Kennedy saying: “The biggest problem with the bill, which is something I think Jessica is concerned with, is that a doctor who has made a determination—if he has found children in this state whose doctors have determined that they’re too fragile to receive vaccinations—this bill would overrule the doctors and force them to be vaccinated anyways.”
“She was a very effective advocate,” Kennedy said of Biel. “She was very strong and very knowledgeable. Extremely well-informed. An extremely effective advocate. She knows what she’s talking about… She’s upset about this issue because of its particular cruelty. She has friends who have been vaccine-injured who would be forced to leave the state.”
Despite the concerns of Biel on the bill, Leah Russin, an executive director of Vaccinate California says that “The children who need medical exemptions will not have a problem getting them if SB 276 becomes law,” she continues. “People who are on immuno-suppressant drugs will not have a problem getting a medical exemption—and in fact, the people who truly need medical exemptions desperately need everyone else to be vaccinated. That’s why they support this bill. Medical advice should be coming from medical professionals.”
Despite this fact, Kennedy and Biel appeared alongside Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, who has also come out against the bill.
“A Hollywood celebrity and the head of an environmental organization should not have credibility on an issue about how to regulate the medical profession, when an overwhelming number of medical professionals support this bill,” Russin said. “It’s the Jenny McCarthy show all over again.”
Photo: Getty