California Bill May Reshape Vaccination Laws Across the Nation

Vaccine laws across the nation may be toughened, observers say, if California passes a fervently debated bill that would strip parents’ rights to exempt kids from immunizations based on personal beliefs.

 

A potential end to California’s opt-out provision gained ground Wednesday when the state senate’s education committee voted 7-2 to require full vaccinations for almost all public school students.

 

The move came in the wake of “anti-vax” parents were often blamed for the Disneyland measles outbreak that sickened 147 people as it spread to at least five states.

 

“Other states will be looking carefully at the California experience if this goes through,” said Dr. Eric Kodish, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Ethics, Humanities and Spiritual Care. “If they become a place where, as I would predict, fewer children get sick and die, it’s something other states would want to look at.”

 

Even opponents believe the bill’s passing could have sweeping effect across the nation.

 

“If it passes, oh my gosh, all hell is going to break loose. All eyes are on California,” said Elaine Shtein, 34, of San Jose. She blames her five-year-old son’s autism diagnosis on his vaccinations. She’s one of many parents who have criticized the bill. Last week, she brought her daughter, Sophia, 7, to attend a senate hearing.

 

Read More: California Bill May Reshape Vaccination Laws Across the Nation – NBC News.com