Measles Outbreak as a Catalyst for Stricter Vaccine Exemption Legislation

Following a multistate measles outbreak that began in Disneyland, California legislators responded to the outbreak by passing legislation repealing exemptions for philosophical and religious beliefs.¹ Although the legislation retains medical exemptions, it makes California the largest state to have such strict childhood vaccination requirements, joining only West Virginia and Mississippi. Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, children whose parents refuse vaccination and are unable to secure a medical exemption must be homeschooled.¹ School-aged children who currently claim a nonmedical exemption can maintain it until the time they enter kindergarten or seventh grade, the state’s 2 vaccine checkpoints.¹ The law applies to both public and private schools, as well as day care facilities.¹