Senate Approves Vaccination Requirement for Day Care Workers

Workers and volunteers at day care centers across California would be required to be vaccinated against flu, pertussis and measles under a Southland legislator’s bill that was approved this week by the state Senate.

SB 792 will head to Gov. Jerry Brown for final consideration. Brown signed a separate bill into law on June 30 requiring almost all school children in the state to be vaccinated against diseases such as measles and whooping cough.

The latest bill by Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, was passed on a 31-5 vote in the Senate. Mendoza said there are no requirements on the books requiring immunizations for day care workers. He said his bill allows for exemptions based on medical safety, immunity or declining the flu vaccination.

“With the deadly outbreaks of measles and influenza this year, we must do everything in our power to protect California’s children who spend time in day care,” Mendoza said. “One child’s death is one too many, especially when it may be preventable.”

Concerns about vaccinations arose following an outbreak of measles traced to Disneyland that began in late December and ultimately spread to more than 130 people across the state. Cases were also reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and Washington state.

Mendoza noted that some children who attend day care may not yet be fully vaccinated, so it is critical for day care workers to have immunizations to prevent diseases from spreading to children.

“Children under the age of 5 are one of the most vulnerable age groups for contracting infection and developing complications from these very serious diseases, so it is critical that we use all available methods to protect them,” Mendoza said.

Some critics have opposed mandatory-vaccination laws, saying they infringe on the rights of people to make medical decisions for themselves and their children.

City News Service; Photo:Shutterstock