Sen Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, left, talks with Jennifer Wonnacott, a supporter of Pan's measure requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated, after the bill was approved by the Senate, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday May 14, 2015. Wonnacott is holding her son Gavin, 11 months. The bill, SB277, co-authored by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, was approved by a 25-10 vote and sent to the Assembly. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (Photo: )
A bill that would make vaccines mandatory for nearly every child in California passed the state Senate on Thursday morning.
The controversial bill ensures that parents enrolling their children in California schools will be allowed to opt them out of immunizations only for medical reasons and may no longer cite religious or personal belief exemptions as reasons not to vaccinate. It passed 25-10 in the Senate, The Associated Press reported.
The bill is a response to a significant measles outbreak that started at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and resulted in at least 131 cases.
“Vaccines are necessary to protect us, but that protection has been eroding,” Sen. Richard Pan (D), who co-authored the bill with Sen. Ben Allen (D), said in his final remarks before the vote, according to The Sacramento Bee. “We need to do more to protect our communities.”
The bill now advances to the state Assembly and, if passed by that chamber, to Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown's desk for final approval. While the governor has not taken a stance on whether vaccines should be mandatory, a spokesman told the Los Angeles Times that Brown "believes that vaccinations are profoundly important and a major public health benefit, and any bill that reaches his desk will be closely considered."
Since the bill was introduced, the state's vocal anti-vaccination community has staged protests outside lawmakers' offices throughout the state. Pan's office has received so many phone calls that it had to open a second phone line, ABC 7 reported.
Chris Christie
“Mary Pat and I have had our children vaccinated and we think that it’s an important part of being sure we protect their health and the public health,” Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) said during a visit to the United Kingdom on on Feb. 2. “I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well, so that’s the balance that the government has to decide."
Barack Obama
"The science is, you know, pretty indisputable," President Barack Obama said in an interview with NBC on Feb. 1. "We’ve looked at this again and again. There is every reason to get vaccinated, but there aren’t reasons to not."
Rand Paul
"I think there are times in which there can be some rules, but for the most part it ought to be voluntary," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on the Laura Ingram show on Feb. 2.
Nancy Pelosi
"It is a public health issue. And the fact is is that children should be vaccinated," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at the Brookings Institute on Feb. 3.
Ted Cruz
"The answer is obvious and there’s widespread agreement – of course they should,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas.) said on Feb. 3.
Bobby Jindal
"I worked in health care for a long time. I have no reservations about whether or not it is a good idea and desirable for all children to be vaccinated," said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in a Feb. 3 press release. "Vaccinations are important. I urge every parent to get them."
Marco Rubio
"Unless they are immune suppressed for medical exceptions, but I believe all children should be vaccinated," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said on Feb 3. "Absolutely all children in America should be vaccinated."
John Boehner
"I don't know that we need another law, but I do believe that all children ought to be vaccinated," House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters at an RNC press conference on Feb. 3.
Joe Biden
"Vaccines help keep children healthy, prevent costly stays in hospitals, and fight diseases that can lead to serious illness or death" Vice President Joe Biden said in a 2009 press release announcing funding to help vaccinate underserved Americans.
John McCain
"It's indisputable that (autism) is on the rise among children, the question is what's causing it. And we go back and forth and there's strong evidence that indicates it's got to do with a preservative in vaccines," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said during the 2008 presidential campaign.
"As a victim of polio myself, I'm a big fan of vaccinations," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters on Feb. 3.
Thom Tillis
"Vaccinations are important to keeping our kids safe, keeping our schools safe," Sen. Thom Tillis (R.-N.C.) said on Feb. 3.
Rob Portman
"As a child, I was vaccinated. Jane and I had our children vaccinated, and I encourage others to do the same to avoid dangerous outbreaks like we are witnessing today," Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said.
Sean Duffy
"I know my kids best, I know what morals and values are right for my children. I think we should not have an oppressive state telling us what to do," Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) said on MSNBC on Feb. 3.
Dennis Daugaard
"Too many people seem to forget the risk of not vaccinating children," Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R-S.D.) wrote in January. "Medical professionals, repeated scientific studies and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that vaccination is vital and safe."
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