Massachusetts state law currently requires children entering school to be immunized for various illnesses, unless the vaccines endanger the child’s health or the immunization conflicts with the “sincere religious beliefs” of a parent or guardian. The proposed bill would only allow vaccine exemptions for medical reasons.
Mr. Vargas proposed the bill one week after Massachusetts confirmed its second measles case of 2019. 981 measles cases have been confirmed in 26 states as of May 31, according to the CDC. That’s the highest number since 1992. Forty-six states, including Massachusetts, allow for religious exemptions to their vaccination laws.
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