Gov. Gavin Newsom says he has concerns about enacting tougher rules that limit doctors from granting medical exemptions for children's vaccinations.
The measure would give state public health officials instead of local doctors the authority to decide which children can skip their shots before attending school. It's being considered by the state Assembly amid growing cases of measles.
Newsom told reporters at the California Democratic Party Convention Saturday that although he supports immunization, he has concerns about having government officials sign off on vaccine exemptions. He said as a parent, he wouldn't want a bureaucrat to make a personal decision for his family.
The Sacramento Bee reports Newsom didn't mention the bill explicitly. Opponents say the doctor-patient relationship will be compromised if it becomes law.
California does not allow exemptions based on personal beliefs, but still allows exemptions for children who must avoid vaccinations for medical reasons.
Who’s Running for President in 2020?
The race for the 2020 presidential election is underway, and the field of Democratic candidates is packed. Those who have announced presidential bids include a vice president, senators, House members and three mayors. As for the GOP, a single Republican has announced his bid to challenge President Donald Trump for the party nomination: former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who ran for vice president (and lost) in 2016 on the Libertarian party ticket.
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Updated Nov. 20, 2019
Note: Incorrect information about Michael Bennet’s cancer diagnosis and titles for Joe Sestak and William Weld have been revised on July 29, 2019, 3:17 p.m. ET.
Credit: Jo Bruni, Emma Barnett, Asher Klein, Dan Macht, Kelly Zegers / NBC; Photos: Getty Images
