Lawmakers acting on vaccination

In light of the measles outbreak that began in California, state lawmakers are considering tightening the requirements for vaccination exemptions—or eliminating the law altogether.

California is one of 19 states that allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their schoolchildren through a personal belief exemption, according to NPR.org. But the measles outbreak that began in December at the Disneyland amusement park in Anaheim prompted state Sens. Richard Pan (pictured) and Ben Allen to introduce legislation on Feb. 4 that would require all children to be fully vaccinated before attending school.

Additionally, U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein recently sent a letter to California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley that reads, “We believe there should be no such thing as a philosophical or personal belief exemption, since everyone uses public spaces.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Jerry Brown has indicated a willingness to consider legislation that would eliminate all but medical waivers, according to The Los Angeles Times.