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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Three lawmakers say their proposal to update North Carolina's childhood vaccination regimen and eliminate an immunization exemption on religious grounds is dead less than two weeks after their bill was filed.
The state senators announced Wednesday their measure has already reached a dead-end in the two-year session after hearing "serious concerns" from constituents and other citizens.
Opponents of the proposal inundated the bill sponsors with messages and visited the Legislative Building days after the bill was filed, with some citing their right to choose what's best for their children. Parents of homeschoolers also have fought the measure.
The sponsors said they were concerned about the liberal use of the religious exemption and what they see as an increased public health risk. The measure would have required immunizations for more illnesses.
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