AUGUSTA (AP) — A state lawmaker has proposed a bill that would make it more difficult for Maine parents to opt out of immunizing their children.
The Portland Press Herald reports that Maine’s opt-out rate for children entering kindergarten has climbed recently to 5.2 percent in the 2013-14 school year, the fifthhighest in the nation.
Democratic Rep. Richard Farnsworth, of Portland, says many parents opt out based on mostly unfounded fears that immunizations can be harmful.
To gain a philosophic exemption, Maine parents need only sign a form.
Farnsworth’s measure would require parents who wish to opt out for philosophic reasons to first consult a primary care professional, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner. After the discussion, if the parents still don’t want their children vaccinated, they would need a medical professional’s signature.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less