The author of a California vaccine bill is proposing amendments that will tighten vaccination practices for children.
The vaccine bill will require all schoolchildren to get vaccines for diseases such as measles and polio. The bill is expected to clear a legislative hurdle after amendments were made to it for addressing the concerns of several senators, who fear that such measures violated the constitution of the state.
Senate Bill 277 terminates parents' ability for opting out for vaccinations for their children due to personal belief. The modified version of the bill includes two alterations.
The first amendment will allow home-schooled children to avoid some vaccinations. These children do not have to be members of the same family or household, which was a requirement in the prior description of the bill.
A second change adds exclusion for students enrolled in "an independent study program."
Dr. Richard Pan, co-author of the bill, suggests that the aim of the vaccine bill is to ensure that all children have access to public education.
"That's always been the intention of the bill, never to restrict children from being educated ... So we are taking amendments to clarify those sections, and I believe with those amendments that will satisfy the concerns of my colleagues," said Pan.
The vaccine bill was introduced after the outbreak of measles at Disneyland, which affected nearly 150 people in 2014. The bill received criticism from religious groups and people who fear the side effects of vaccination.
Pan says diseases, such as measles, create fear among people. He believes that it is not irrelevant to demand children to have vaccination for several diseases before they are admitted to school.
The bill was previously brought down even before it went for a vote in the Senate education committee. Pan revealed that he will bring the bill for consideration again on Wednesday, April 22.
If the bill is passed, it will end the personal beliefs exemption in California's vaccination law that allows parents to opt out of vaccination due to religious beliefs.
All the states in the U.S. require children to be vaccinated before they are allowed to be admitted in schools. However, a child can avoid vaccination due to medical reason, such as a weak immune system.
Photo: Apotek Hjartat | Flickr
