Amid 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.
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67 Articles
Texas mom with baby too young for measles vaccines worries about outbreak
A child who was hospitalized with measles in Texas has died from the illness, marking the first death in an outbreak that has infected more than 120 people since late last month. Omar Villafranca spoke to a mom concerned for her 8-month-old baby who's still too young for the MMR vaccine.
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 bill awaiting governor's signature could ease vaccine exemptions
By KTBS Web Staff Click here for updates on this story AUSTIN, Texas (KTBS) — Texas is one signature away from allowing parents more direct control over school-required vaccinations, a move that could significantly increase the number of unvaccinated children in the state. House Bill 1586, which has passed both legislative chambers and awaits the governor’s signature, would permit parents to download an exemption form for school immunization…
Medical Daily
Latin TimesTexas 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.
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