US EditionAmid Measles Outbreak, Texas Is Poised to Make Vaccine Exemptions for Kids Easier
- Texas has experienced its largest measles outbreak in over 20 years since late January, starting in West Texas Mennonite communities and spreading to other low vaccination areas.
- The outbreak occurred amid rising vaccine exemption rates in Texas, where almost 153,000 exemption requests were recorded in 2023-24 and exemptions have increased dramatically over the last five years.
- State lawmakers approved a bill simplifying vaccine exemption paperwork by allowing parents to download and notarize forms electronically to enroll children without standard vaccinations.
- Rekha Lakshmanan of the Immunization Project cautioned that the bill could lead to increased health problems, more fatalities, and greater medical expenses, while supporters contend it streamlines government processes and facilitates school enrollment.
- The bill's passage reflects a wider trend of vaccine-related legislation in conservative states amid national declines in vaccination rates and rising exemption levels since the pandemic.
61 Articles
61 Articles
MedPage Today
Anti-Aging, Acupuncture and Health NewsAmid Measles Outbreak, Texas Is Poised to Make Vaccine Exemptions for Kids Easier
(MedPage Today) -- Texas this year has been the center of the nation's largest measles outbreak in more than two decades, as a mostly eradicated disease has sickened more than 700 in the state, sent dozens to hospitals, and led to the death of...
Texas Lawmakers Look to Make Child Vaccine Exemptions Easier for Parents as Measles Outbreak Continues
Texas lawmakers passed a bill to simplify vaccine exemptions, sparking backlash from health advocates as the state faces its worst measles outbreak in over 20 years.
New Texas bill makes it easier to request vaccine exemptions
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images, FILE (TEXAS) — Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that would make it easier for parents to opt out of vaccinating their children, despite the current measles outbreak in West Texas. The bill — HB 1586 — would allow parents to download and fill out a form available on the Texas Department of State of Health Services website to exempt their children from all vaccinations required to attend public school. Unde…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
