California bill ending 'beliefs' exemption for childhood vaccines advances

[Luiz 4,253]

(Reuters) - California's senate education committee approved a bill making it mandatory for children to be vaccinated before starting school despite opposition from “ant-vaxxer” parents who have packed public hearings and flooded lawmakers with calls.

The bill, which has already passed the senate health committee, has several more hurdles to clear before becoming law. It next goes to the senate judiciary committee, before going to the state senate, and finally the assembly.

Under the bill, only children with medical waivers to opt out of vaccinations would be exempted.

Most states, however, also allow parents to opt out if their religion bans the protective procedure and about 20 allow personal beliefs exemptions, which in recent years have been used by parents who fear a now-debunked link between vaccines and autism, or worry about other health effects of children receiving shots.

The bill under consideration in California would eliminate the personal beliefs exemption, which would also have the practical effect of eliminating any exemption based on religion.

Introduced in the wake of a measles outbreak that began at Disneyland and infected 147 people last year, the bill stalled last week in the senate education committee, after opponents said it would unfairly deprive unvaccinated children of their right to an education.

On Wednesday, it was approved by a vote of 7-2 after the authors added a provision to allow unvaccinated children to participate in group home-schooling environments.

The proposed removal of the personal beliefs exemption in California drew questions from representatives of some of the state's most liberal enclaves, some of which are home to large clusters of parents who worry that vaccinating their children according to the recommended medical timelines could weaken their immune systems or otherwise harm their health.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/23/us-usa-measles-vaccinations-idUSKBN0NE09X20150423

[darkchylde 14,857]

Finally.

[Dangerous Man 9,245]

Here in our country, babies always gets vaccinated since like a long time ago already and we are still normal people. What's up California Gurls.

 

And I thought we are the most superficial ppl on this planet. Lol.

 

[gagzus 22,946]

children need vaccines & that's a fact because at such a fragile age they're vulnerable to a lot of diseases & infections

[socotra 3,357]

California is the America of America. Thank God our Legislature has its head on straight. 

[Morphine Prince 109,648]

Good. This is how it should be. 

[Goosey 3,017]

I don't think people should be forced to vaccinate their children, but this is the People's Republic of Kalifornia, so I can't say I'm surprised.

[TiphEret 1,320]

I don't think people should be forced to vaccinate their children, but this is the People's Republic of Kalifornia, so I can't say I'm surprised.

​I agree a lot of vaccines are known to have a lot of side effects so instead of forcing people they should work more on prevention and information

[Nicole 1,809]

This recently happened in Australia as well. The mentioned severe side effects that result in vaccination exemption are also very rare so the state should see a lot an improvement in vaccination rates.

Not vaccinating your children by choice is counterproductive in the purpose of vaccinations. Yes, being forceful isn't the "best" way to go about it but it's what is needed to protect other children from disease.