California Schools Still Have Low Vaccination Rates Despite Law

CALIFORNIA -- More than 100 schools in California have less than 95 percent of vaccinated students, the number needed to prevent outbreaks prevented by vaccines. The Los Angeles Times reported the new statistics, three years after Senate Bill 277, which removed personal belief exemptions to vaccination requirements, was signed into law.

Health experts agree that vaccines are only effective if at least 95 percent of the population obtain their vaccinations. Children can be exempt from receiving vaccinations if they receive a medical exemption from a doctor.

"But at 105 schools in the state, 10% or more of kindergartners had a medical exemption in the school year that ended last month," read a Los Angeles Times article. "That was nearly double the number of such schools in the first year the law was in effect."

The newspaper also reported that "at 785 of the roughly 6,500 elementary schools in the state, 90% or fewer kindergartners had all of their required shots. Some of those students were planning to get their shots later in the school year and they hadn’t come due yet. But many had notes from their doctors saying they shouldn’t be vaccinated for the rest of their childhood."

State Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a doctor who authored the 2015 bill, told the Times he may propose another law to close any loopholes.

Read the full Los Angeles Times article here.

--Photo via Shutterstock