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Yesterday, New York abolished the religious exemption for vaccines for schoolchildren, as the worst measles outbreak in the United States for decades has prompted states to reconsider the idea of giving parents the means to to avoid vaccination rules.
The Senate and the Assembly, led by Democrats, voted in favor of repealing the waiver, which allows parents to report religious beliefs in order to give their child the vaccinations required for schooling.
The law takes effect immediately, but gives unvaccinated students up to 30 days after they enter a school to show that they have received the first dose of each vaccine required.
With the move to New York, similar exemptions are still allowed in 45 states, though lawmakers of many of them have introduced their own legislation to eliminate the waiver.
The issue is hotly contested and the debate around this issue has often been emotional. It has been argued that freedom of religion is limited by warnings that public health is in danger. After the vote in the House, many spectators in the gallery shouted "shame!" A woman shouted obscenities at lawmakers from below.
The debate is only intensifying with this year's measles outbreak, which, according to federal officials, has exceeded 1,000 cases, the highest level in 27 years.
Hundreds of parents of unvaccinated children gathered at the New York Capitol for the protest vote.
Independent Irish
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