Parents react to mandatory vaccination law

Governor Jerry Brown didn’t waste any time signing SB277 into law, requiring school kids in California to be vaccinated.

“I’m appalled by it,” said Karen Livreri of Bermuda Dunes. “I think that’s something that should have gone before the people. We should have been able to vote on something like that.”

“I can relax a little bit. There are a lot of things you have to worry about when you have a little kid, but I no longer have to worry if he’s going to get measles at school,” said Leah Russin of the Bay Area.

The law goes into effect July 1 of next year and will be enforced at both public and private schools, including children in day care.

The only students excused are those with medical conditions.

“It would certainly be a prior vaccine reaction, but also a history of autoimmune diseases,” said pediatrician Dr. Lindy Woodard of the medical exemptions. “So if a sibling had autism I would not vaccinate the next child.”

Parents can no longer cite a religious or personal belief to waive the vaccination requirement.

The only other way to get around it is not sending your kids to school. That’s exactly the measure Livreri is prepared to take with her children.

“I plan to homeschool them. It does upset me that I have to do that. I have to take something away from my children that I had, which was socializing,” Livreri said.

Some parents say more non-industry funded research needs to be done.

But bill co-author senator Bill Allen says the bill went through three major committees and all voices were heard.

“I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as some fear, ultimately we really made sure to strengthen the medical exemption,” Allen said.

“Parents don’t like being told what to do, they don’t like feeling like their rights are stripped away. People are going to start moving away. He just screwed California. Single-handedly screwed California,” said Kimberly McCauley of the Bay Area.