California Children Face New Vaccine Requirements For New School Year
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Under a new California law, all children must be vaccinated for the incoming 2016-17 school year, regardless of their parents' personal or religious beliefs.
Children's Claremont Clinic is one place where children are receiving their immunizations.
"And that's what we do here every day. It's one of our big jobs, to help parents protect their children," said pediatrician Dr. Gena Lewis of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, who lobbied for the law.
Under the new rules, all children entering pre-school, kindergarten or seventh grade this fall must have the required vaccinations, regardless of prior personal belief exemptions.
Lewis said the new law reassures her that lives will be saved. The doctor cited old fashioned diseases that were making a comeback, of note the recent measles outbreak at Disneyland.
"This step back that we've taken is little medieval, thinking that vaccines are going to hurt children, when really it's one of the most health and scientific discoveries we've had in our lifetimes," Lewis told KCBS.
The needy can receive vaccines for free. For more details, parents can visit shotsforschool.org.