Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill into law April 28 that will end the religious exemption for school immunization requirements. Similar bills have appeared in previous legislative sessions, but this was the first time the matter got a full vote. Here are some answers to the most common questions about the new law:
What about students with a current religious exemption?
Students with a current religious exemption can be grandfathered in and keep it.
How did each chamber vote?
The state Senate voted 22-14 in favor of the bill.
All Republican senators voted against it. They were joined by Democratic Sens. Cathy Osten of Sprague and Dennis Bradley of Bridgeport.
The state House passed the bill 90-53 with seven representatives absent.
What immunizations are required in Connecticut schools?
Connecticut law requires the following immunizations for students:
- Measles, mumps and rubella
- Polio
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
- Influenza B (only mandated for children under 5)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Influenza (preschool children)
- Pneumonia (children under 5)
- Meningitis (7th grade)