New PA Bill Would Regulate Vaccine Exemptions in State
Parents would need to discuss vaccine pros/cons with doctor before obtaining exemption form.
A newly introduced bill in the State House would regulate how vaccine exemptions are granted in Pennsylvania.
Sponsors say the bill would create a standardized request form for exemptions, which would need to be signed by a doctor.
"It has to be signed by a medical professional who has explained to that parent both the pros and cons of getting their children vaccinated," State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Reading) told KDKA Radio. "It doesn't eliminate the exemptions."
Schwank says parents would have to understand the impact of not getting vaccinated, not just for their child but for other children as well. According to Schwank, some school districts in Pennsylvania do not currently require an exemption form for parents who choose not to vaccinate their children.
The bill comes as health officials across the country battle outbreaks of the measles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 839 confirmed cases of measles in 23 states, including Pennsylvania. These numbers represent the worst measles outbreak in the United States since 1994.