**California to End Controversial Vaccine Exemptions, Governor Signs Bill Into Law**.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law eliminating all personal belief vaccine exemptions in California, making it one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the United States. The new law, Assembly Bill 267, takes effect on January 1, 2021, and will require all children attending public or private schools to be vaccinated unless they have a medical exemption..
Previously, California allowed parents to opt out of vaccinating their children for personal, religious, or moral reasons. This broad exemption led to a significant decrease in vaccination rates, contributing to outbreaks of measles and whooping cough in recent years..
The new law aims to increase vaccination rates and protect the health of children and the community as a whole. Supporters of the bill argue that vaccines are essential for preventing the spread of deadly diseases and that personal belief exemptions undermine herd immunity..
Opponents of the bill argue that it infringes on parental rights and that parents should have the choice to decide whether or not to vaccinate their children. They also raise concerns about the potential side effects of vaccines..
The debate over vaccine exemptions has been ongoing for several years in California and across the country. In 2015, the California Legislature passed a law that eliminated the personal belief exemption for measles vaccines only. The new law extends this mandate to all vaccines required for school attendance..
California is now the third state in the United States to eliminate all personal belief vaccine exemptions, following West Virginia and Mississippi. Several other states are considering similar legislation..
The new law is expected to face legal challenges from opponents who argue that it violates religious freedom and parental rights. However, public health experts believe that the law is a necessary step to protect the health of children and the community..
**Additional Details and Implications of the New Law:**.
* The law applies to all children attending public or private schools in California, including preschools and daycares..
* Children who have a medical exemption must provide a written statement from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner..
* The law does not apply to children who are homeschooled or who attend private schools that are exempt from state regulations..
* Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children without a valid medical exemption may be subject to fines or other penalties..
* The law is intended to increase vaccination rates and reduce the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases..
* The new law is expected to face legal challenges from opponents who argue that it violates religious freedom and parental rights..
