A bill moving through the Vermont Legislature would end the ability of parents to block on philosophical grounds vaccinations their children must receive to enter school.
The Valley News of Lebanon reports the bill is drawing fire from some parents who say it’s discriminatory. Some also object to forcing their children to get shots they fear include toxins. Others say removing the philosophical objection while retaining a religious exemption common to most states would be unfair.
But the state Department of Health supports the proposed change, noting that Vermont has the second highest rate of children in the country who don’t get immunizations.
Officials say the rate of unvaccinated children in Vermont has grown since 2008, and the state is also seeing outbreaks of whooping cough, or pertussis.