Abbott: Parents should be able to opt out of vaccine mandates

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN -- Weighing in on a national debate, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made clear this week that he supports laws that include exemptions to requirements that parents vaccinate their children.

"Abbott recognizes the public health benefits of vaccines and encourages all parents to have their children vaccinated, as he and the First Lady did with their daughter," spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said, but the governor "supports current Texas law that he believes strikes the right balance of requiring vaccinations while still allowing parents to opt out under certain circumstances."

That law gives parents the right to opt out if they have religious or personal objections to vaccines, or if they can cite valid medical reasons.

The governor's position pits him opposite a high-profile suggestion that Texas eliminate the religious and personal exemptions in response to several recent outbreaks of measles.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Abbott-Parents-should-be-able-to-opt-out-of-6077927.php

[uppityperson]

1. Why should they be allowed to endanger their children and other people?

"religious or personal objections"? No. Health issues? Yes.

I have a personal objection to subjecting my child to seat belts but still I will get fined if I don't use them. It isn't fair (she whines)!!!1111

[Warpy]

4. Good thing that old fool is trumped by public health laws

Schools will insist the kids be vaccinated no matter what that idiot says.

Somehow, I don't see this one fast tracked through the lege any time soon. It's Texas, so I could be wrong on this, but I think it was easier with popular support from the crunchy granola types in California.

His timing is just great, they're seeing measles there and now mumps are likely on the way.

[uppityperson]

5. I wonder if the ebola thing will help people see the positives of vaccinations

[Warpy]

6. I think some cute little white kids will have to die of measles encephalitis

before any rock headed antivax zealots change their minds about any of it. Their kids will have to end up on ventilators before they'll reconsider polio vaccine.

Some people are just plain stupid and ornery. That's why we need things like public health laws with teeth to steamroll them.

[mzmolly]

2. What about adults?

Should adults be able to opt out?

[Ilsa]

3. No Religious exemptions. No Personal Exemptions.

Only Medical reasons with evidence, such as a close family member having a reaction.

[Javaman]

7. not allowing former cement head gov perry to out do him, abbott pushes the stupid forward. nt