In response to recent increases in the number of measles cases, some states have tightened their vaccine requirements for school admission, eliminating religious and personal belief exemptions. Julie Underwood traces the history of vaccination requirements and how the court has ruled on challenges to these requirements, which argue that requiring vaccination violates various individual rights. So far, courts have ruled in favor of vaccination requirements, noting that they are intended to promote the general welfare of all.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). State school immunization requirements and vaccine exemption laws. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support.
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2020). States with religious and philosophical exemptions from school immunization requirements. Washington, DC: Author.
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