A measles outbreak in Texas has led to concerns about a new bill that would make it easier for parents to enroll their children in school without standard vaccinations. The bill, approved by state lawmakers and sent to Republican Governor Greg Abbott, streamlines the exemption process, allowing families to download required forms from a website instead of contacting state health officials.
Supporters say the bill simplifies an already legal exemption process that allows families to avoid vaccines for reasons of conscience or medical conditions. However, critics argue that easing the exemption process could lead to further outbreaks and potentially deadly results.
Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer for Texas-based nonprofit Immunization Project, warned that “if this bill becomes law, Texas is likely to see more illness, more death and higher health care costs for families and business.” The outbreak in Texas is not a coincidence, but rather a canary in the coal mine screaming at the top of its lungs.
As the US sees a spike in vaccine-related bills across the country, with nearly 600 passed in 2025, critics fear that the trend will continue. The national Association of Immunization Managers has tracked these bills and says most would not be considered pro-vaccine.
Texas requires children to obtain vaccines to protect against 11 diseases to attend public and private schools and child care centers. While vaccination rates for the 2023-24 school year ranged between 93.78% and 95.78%, exemption rates have been rising for nearly two decades, with a dramatic spike over the last five years.
The bill on vaccine exemption paperwork would make it easier for parents to obtain the needed form by letting them download it to a computer or smartphone. However, critics argue that simplifying the exemption process makes it too easy for unvaccinated kids to enroll in school, endangering the health of other kids and families.
As the debate continues, some advocate for vaccine freedom of choice, while others prioritize public health and safety. The outcome of these bills will have a significant impact on the nation’s approach to vaccination policies.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/amid-measles-outbreak-texas-lawmakers-vote-to-make-school-vaccine-exemptions-easier