A bill that would end the religious exemption for vaccinations in New York continues to remain in limbo as lawmakers in the state Assembly continue to push for votes on the measure.
A vote for the bill, in the Assembly Health Committee, is being sought amid a measles outbreak in Brooklyn and Rockland County, remains up in the air. Lawmakers who support the legislation on Tuesday once again brought medical groups and physician organizations to lobby for its passage.
“Not everything gets passed exactly when we want it to,” said Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, the Assembly sponsor of the legislation. “We’re trying to round up enough votes and do that soon before the end of session.”
The event at the Capitol was also a counter to a rally of opponents and skeptics of vaccinations, which medical experts agree is needed to create a “herd immunity” to prevent the spread of diseases.
Lawmakers have expressed unease privately with ending the religious exemption as the outbreak has primarily affected the Orthodox Jewish community. At the same time, some lawmakers want the assurance the bill would be effective in boosting vaccinations.
An amendment to the bill was added in recent days that would allow parents to have a catch-up period so kids can remain in school as they wait for a vaccination.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to move the bill along, to get it on the floor,” said Sen. David Carlucci. “I believe once we get it on the floor, we’ll see it pass in the Assembly and get it on the governor’s desk.”
Carlucci wants lawmakers to also consider the creation of a public information campaign to promote and support the benefits of vaccinations.
“The second part is we have to move forward with a robust educational campaign and that’s a long-term strategy,” Carlucci said.