Assemblyman proposes bill to end religious exemptions for measles vaccine

A proposed bill would end religious exemptions for measles vaccines.

News 12 Staff

Feb 13, 2019, 10:25 PM

Updated 1,917 days ago

Share:

A proposed bill would end religious exemptions for measles vaccines.
Measles cases are on the rise in Rockland. Officials say there are now 135 confirmed cases in Rockland County – a majority of them in children.

"When this broke, and it was predominantly in the area where we have Orthodox community, the rabbis there, and it was over 100 of them who met with our commissioner of health, were absolutely in support of getting children immunized,” says Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

An order from the Health Department remains in effect for more than 30 schools in New Square, Spring Valley and Monsey to keep home students who are unvaccinated or undervaccinated from the measles - until 21 days after the last case in the county.

Proposed legislation from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz would ban religious and non-medical exemptions as a reason for parents not to vaccinate children in New York.

"Unless you have a clear medically based exemption need, and I mean clear, you should be getting your shots. You should be getting immunized,” says Day.

Day says the county has given nearly 15,000 MMR vaccines since the measles outbreak began in October. However, cases continue to rise.
Officials say this is the longest measles outbreak and the most infections since the disease was eradicated nearly 20 years ago.


More from News 12
1:25
Police: Crash between car and school bus in Yonkers injures 4, including child

Police: Crash between car and school bus in Yonkers injures 4, including child

2:24
Wet weather ahead for the Hudson Valley

Wet weather ahead for the Hudson Valley

0:52
 Young game developer from Westchester launches new video game

Young game developer from Westchester launches new video game

1:50
$127 million in state funding going to police departments across Hudson Valley to improve public safety

$127 million in state funding going to police departments across Hudson Valley to improve public safety

0:32
Police: 4 hurt in crash at Spring Valley intersection where child was struck last week

Police: 4 hurt in crash at Spring Valley intersection where child was struck last week

1:44
Who won NY's 16th Congressional district debate on News 12? Depends on who you ask.

Who won NY's 16th Congressional district debate on News 12? Depends on who you ask.

0:38
Yonkers Police Department host series of events during National Police Week

Yonkers Police Department host series of events during National Police Week

1:25
Double shooting leaves 1 dead in Newburgh, police seek public's help to make arrest

Double shooting leaves 1 dead in Newburgh, police seek public's help to make arrest

0:36
Hudson Valley Red Lobster locations abruptly close, workers say staff turned away without notice

Hudson Valley Red Lobster locations abruptly close, workers say staff turned away without notice

0:18
Body found in Hudson River near Marlboro Yacht Club

Body found in Hudson River near Marlboro Yacht Club

3:37
Latimer and Bowman square off in News 12 debate for Democratic nod in 16th Congressional District

Latimer and Bowman square off in News 12 debate for Democratic nod in 16th Congressional District

0:50
City of Poughkeepsie Police Department faces staffing crisis

City of Poughkeepsie Police Department faces staffing crisis

54:48
WATCH: Rep. Bowman and Westchester County Executive Latimer debate in race for 16th Congressional District

WATCH: Rep. Bowman and Westchester County Executive Latimer debate in race for 16th Congressional District

2:41
Made in the Hudson Valley: An American Dream comes true through Laura's Boutique and Bridal

Made in the Hudson Valley: An American Dream comes true through Laura's Boutique and Bridal

0:19
$8 million allocated for pedestrian safety improvements in Ramapo

$8 million allocated for pedestrian safety improvements in Ramapo

0:18
Yonkers park to get $500,000 make-over and first upgrades in 35 years

Yonkers park to get $500,000 make-over and first upgrades in 35 years

1:01
Headlines: Pedestrian killed, suspects sought in hit-and-run, supermarket pepper spray incident

Headlines: Pedestrian killed, suspects sought in hit-and-run, supermarket pepper spray incident

1:44
White Plains Jewish Agency unveils memorial for massacre victims

White Plains Jewish Agency unveils memorial for massacre victims

0:39
Traffic Alert: Overnight roadwork in New Rochelle

Traffic Alert: Overnight roadwork in New Rochelle