A local lawmaker is weighing in on the bill approved by the state House and sent to the Senate that would end the state’s religious exemption for immunization requirements for school. 

Bethel Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan notes that this bill does not require students to be vaccinated for HPV, the flu or COVID-19. Allie-Brennan says he understands and respects parental rights and other personal liberties, but that his job is to protect the public health and prevent unnecessary deaths. 

After meeting with constituents on both sides of the issue, Allie-Brennan co-introduced a bipartisan amendment that will extend the grandfather provision from seventh grade to kindergarten.  

Required vaccines include measles, mumps and rubella; diphtheria; pertussis (whooping cough); tetanus; poliomyelitis; and haemophilus influenzae type B.  The bill would expand and enhance the medical exemption process by creating a standardized certificate and providing clear and concise guidance to our health care providers.