To the Point

Will California's Vaccine Law Influence Other States?

All 50 states require immunization of children starting school, but almost two-dozen allow waivers based on personal beliefs and religion. Now the biggest state in the union has enacted an uncompromising ban on all such exemptions.

By Warren Olney • Jul 1, 2015 • 8m Listen

All 50 states require immunization of children starting school, but almost two-dozen allow waivers based on personal beliefs and religion. Now the biggest state in the union has enacted an uncompromising ban on all such exemptions. California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a sweeping ban on exemptions to mandatory childhood vaccination, joining Mississippi and West Virginia as the only states to ban not just personal waivers -- but waivers based on religion as well. Is it a test case for the rest of the nation? Seth Mnookin is author of The Panic Virus: The True Story behind the Vaccine-Autism Controversy.

Special thanks to Paul von Zielbauer for production assistance.

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To the Point

Will California's Vaccine Law Influence Other States?

All 50 states require immunization of children starting school, but almost two-dozen allow waivers based on personal beliefs and religion. Now the biggest state in the union has enacted an uncompromising ban on all such exemptions.

Share

To the Point

Will California's Vaccine Law Influence Other States?

All 50 states require immunization of children starting school, but almost two-dozen allow waivers based on personal beliefs and religion. Now the biggest state in the union has enacted an uncompromising ban on all such exemptions.

Share