California’s new vaccine rules kept more kindergartners up-to-date
The rate of those children behind on required vaccinations dropped to 4.9 percent in 2017
More kindergartners in California were up-to-date on their vaccinations in 2017, following three statewide policies, scientists say.
Two stricter laws on vaccine exemptions and a school admission policy, enacted from 2014 to 2016, were associated with a decrease in the rate of kindergartners who were behind on required vaccinations for nine diseases including measles, mumps, pertussis and chicken pox. The rate, which had increased from 7.8 percent in 2000 to 9.8 percent in 2013, dropped to 4.9 percent in 2017, researchers report online July 2 in JAMA.