Feature

Washington State removes exemption for MMR vaccine


 

Washington state parents may no longer cite personal or philosophical objections to refuse the MMR vaccine for their children, effective July 28, according to the state’s department of health.

Current status of nonmedical school immunization requirements

“In Washington state we believe in our doctors. We believe in our nurses. We believe in our educators. We believe in science and we love our children,” Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said when he signed the bill into law on May 10. “And that is why in Washington State, we are against measles.”

The new law applies only to the MMR vaccine and “does not change religious and medical exemption laws. Children who have one of these types of exemptions on file are not affected by the new law,” the health department said.

Washington is one of 45 states that allows religious exemptions from school immunization requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which also reported that 15 of those states allow personal-belief exemptions.

The five states that do not allow any form of nonmedical exemption are California, Maine, Mississippi, New York, and West Virginia.

Recommended Reading

Varicella vaccine delivers doubled benefit to children
MDedge Dermatology
United States now over 1,000 measles cases this year
MDedge Dermatology
U.S. travelers to Europe need up to date measles immunization
MDedge Dermatology
Measles incidence has slowed as summer begins
MDedge Dermatology
Substantial reductions in HPV infections, CIN2+ after vaccination
MDedge Dermatology
ACIP extends HPV vaccine coverage
MDedge Dermatology
Acquired MMR immunity doesn’t last to age 1 year
MDedge Dermatology
Recombinant vaccine cut herpes zoster rate in immunocompromised patients
MDedge Dermatology
Measles cases have slowed but not stopped
MDedge Dermatology
New measles outbreaks reported in Los Angeles and El Paso
MDedge Dermatology