Maine could soon prohibit parents from citing religious or personal beliefs to a...
- Maine could soon prohibit parents from citing religious or personal beliefs to avoid vaccinating their children, making the U.S. state one of a half dozen cracking down during the nations’ largest measles outbreak in 25 years.
The United States has recorded at least 704 measles cases so far this year in outbreaks that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has called"Azar and other officials have largely blamed the outbreaks on the spread of misinformation, including a belief debunked by scientific studies that vaccine ingredients can cause autism. This has led to pockets of lower-than-normal vaccination rates in some communities.
Ryan Tipping, a Democratic member of Maine’s House of Representatives who sponsored the bill, noted in an interview that no major U.S. religion forbids vaccination. It was unclear whether the similar bills in other states will pass. Some have been reintroduced after failing in earlier sessions. No measles cases have been recorded in largely rural Maine since 2017, but state officials have been worried by outbreaks of whooping cough, another childhood disease that can be prevented by vaccination.
Only three states already bar all non-medical exemptions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures: Mississippi, West Virginia and California.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Maine replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' DayThe state of Maine officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day on Friday, joining a growing list of states that are changing the name of the holiday to honor Native American communities.
Read more »
Maine becomes 1st state to ban single-use foam containersMaine has become the first state to ban single-use food and drink containers made from polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam. Tuesday
Read more »
Maine becomes 1st state to ban single-use foam containersAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has become the first state to ban single-use food and drink containers made from polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam.
Read more »
Maine moves closer to banning Native American school mascotsA bill that would ban Maine public schools, colleges and universities from using Native American mascots is one step closer to becoming law after the state Senate approved it.
Read more »
Maine becomes the first state to ban StyrofoamCNN News, delivered. Select from our newsletters below and enter your email to subscribe.
Read more »
Deaf man adopts deaf rescue puppy and teaches him sign languageA man who was born deaf is now the owner of a sweet puppy who is also unable to hear. Nick Abbott, 31, of Maine, adopted his dog Emerson through the foster-based rescue, NFR Maine. At 6 weeks old, Emerson was rescued from a shelter in Florida and later transferred up north.The black lab mix experienced
Read more »
6-year-old boy dies after being hit by school busThe Maine first-grader was fatally hit by a school bus while he was out riding his bicycle.
Read more »