Religious exemptions to vaccines reach all-time high in Massachusetts

The percentage of kindergartners receiving religious exemptions from Massachusetts' vaccine law reached an all-time high in the 2018-19 school year, according to Massachusetts Department of Public Health data that dates back to 1987-88, reported WGBH.

Over 80 percent of the 920 Massachusetts kindergartners excused from vaccines last year had religious exemptions. To obtain a religious exemption, parents must state in writing that vaccination violates their religious beliefs.

More religious exemptions have meant a heightened risk for immuno-compromised students, who are more vulnerable to infectious diseases, WGBH reports.

The Massachusetts legislature is currently challenging the religious exemption, but the proposed bill is unlikely to come to a vote before the next school year begins.

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