Sen. Vicki Marble and Rep. Lori Saine will host their third event covering vaccinations and “health choice” at Colorado’s Capitol on Monday, Oct. 28.

“These subjects need full discussion and input from all effected [sic] stakeholders to look at prospective changes to rules or statutes,” the invitation reads.

Saine, R-Dacono, said on Friday that she is “personally pro-vaccine,” adding that she immunizes her child on schedule. However, “I don’t think the government forcing you to do anything is really much of a choice now, is it?”

In defining “health choice,” Saine said that “forc[ing] people to put things into their bodies” bothers her.

“Medicines affect people differently. Any commercial for medicine on TV or in a magazine, what does the disclaimer look like? It’s really long. If there’s risk, there should be choice.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls childhood vaccination “essential” because “it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.”

When asked about the agenda and the speakers at the event, Saine said, “I don’t want to give anything away.”

Also participating in the event is the National Vaccine Information Center. Part of their website catalogs the self-reports of injuries or deaths that vaccines cause. The executive director referred questions about the purpose of the summit to Saine and Marble.

The World Health Organization reports that serious adverse affects from vaccines occur once per thousands or millions of doses.  “As for vaccines causing death, again so few deaths can plausibly be attributed to vaccines that it is hard to assess the risk statistically,” they write.

On Oct. 18, the CDC published the latest percentages of kindergartners in each state who are vaccinated. Colorado ranked lowest in children vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella at 87.4 percent. Varicella coverage was also dead last at 86.5 percent.

When asked about her reaction to those numbers, Saine said, “We’re going to touch on that Monday, and I think you’re going to be surprised by the answer.”

Does she support raising those percentages?

“Sure. Absolutely,” she replied.