A new Michigan law for 2015 will force some parents seeking vaccination waivers for their kids to speak to a health professional first.
The new law took effect Jan. 1st. It targets parents asking for “philosophical” waivers. Michigan has a seven-percent waiver rate – that’s fourth highest in the country.
Jennifer Smith with the Michigan Department of Community Health said the law was adapted from one already making a difference in ten counties.
“In those ten counties that had policies in place last year where education and informed consent were used as a tool, the average exemption rate was only 3.3 percent,” said Smith.
Smith said misinformation about vaccines has caused a spike in waiver rates.
Parents may still receive a philosophical waiver after their conversation with a public health official. Waivers for medical or religious reasons will still be unrestricted.