SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Parents who don't have their children vaccinated will have to get a waiver from the doctor's office before enrolling their children in school under a new California law.
Gov. Jerry Brown announced Sunday that he has signed AB2109.
It will require parents who enroll students who have not received the required public school vaccines to get a waiver from a physician or a nurse practitioner saying they have received information about the benefits and risks of immunization.
Democratic Assemblyman Richard Pan of Sacramento praised Brown for signing his bill amid the largest national whooping cough epidemic in 50 years. Pan, a pediatrician, says vaccines can prevent life-long injury and death.
Opponents including former Saturday Night Live actor Rob Schneider say it infringes on parental rights and increases medical costs for families.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
