Murphy to Introduce Bill to Reduce Number of Non-Medical Exemptions o Immunization Vaccines

Statement

Today, during a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing titled "The Reemergence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Exploring the Public Health Successes and Challenges", U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that he is working on a bill to increase the amount of information provided to parents who choose to exempt their children from vaccinations for non-medical reasons.

"As a parent of a 3 year-old and 6 year-old, the recent spread of the measles virus is especially concerning -- as it is to any parent with little kids. If someone doesn't want to vaccinate their child, they should be fully aware of all the risks it poses to their own kids, as well as the kids around them. Too many people - kids, chemo patients, and more -- are vulnerable to illness and can't get vaccinated for reasons beyond their control. At the very least, parents who choose not to vaccinate their kids should be aware of the danger it presents to their family and society."

Murphy is drafting legislation that will incentivize states to require that parents who want a non-medical exemption from having their child vaccinated must first visit their physician and be informed of the risk of refusing vaccination. The information would be designed to counteract the false information that is being spread, leading parents to believe that vaccinations cause conditions like autism.

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