Controversial California Vaccine Bill Clears First Hurdle

04:22

April 09, 2015

Jennifer Wonnacott, a supporter of a measure requiring California schoolchildren to get vaccinated, keeps an eye on her son, Gavin, at a hearing at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Supporters and opponents of the SB277, by Sens. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento and Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, spoke passionately during the hearing in the Senate Health Committee. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

A bill requiring school children in California to be vaccinated advanced in California's state legislature yesterday, passing the Senate Health Committee 6-2.

The bill now goes to two other committees before moving to a vote on the full Senate floor. The bill would eliminate waivers for religious and personal beliefs.

The bill would eliminate waivers for religious and personal beliefs, and only allow exemptions for children with health problems. Some opponents believe vaccinations are a health risk and say parents should have a choice about whether to vaccinate their children.

Jeremy White of the Sacramento Bee joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson with details.

Guest

Jeremy White, covers politics for the Sacramento Bee. He tweets @CapitolAlert.

This segment aired on April 9, 2015.

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