Anti-vaxxers wage war in Conn., lawmaker calls vaccines “witches brew”

Enlarge / Image of anti-vaccine protesters in Connecticut's Legislative Office Building. They formed a prayer circle and said the Pledge of Allegiance and the Our Father before chanting "Healthy kids belong in school." (credit: Twitter | Christopher Keating)

The battle over vaccinations ramped up in Connecticut this week as state lawmakers narrowly advanced a bill-with last-minute amendments-aimed at banning religious vaccine exemptions for children.

If passed, the measure will no longer allow parents to cite their religious beliefs as a valid reason not to provide their children with life-saving immunizations, which are otherwise required for entry into public and private schools and daycares.

The legislature's public health committee passed the bill Monday in a 14-11 vote but not before making a last-minute amendment that would grandfather in children who already have such an exemption. As passed, the amended legislation would only apply to children newly enrolling.

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