Child-care facilities and preschools would be prevented from employing anyone who has not been vaccinated against influenza, pertussis and measles under a bill introduced in the California state Senate last week
SB792, sponsored by state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) would amend the state Health and Safety Code to add the requirement that workers be vaccinated.
“Children under the age of five 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 in a press release announcing the legislation.
From the L.A .Times:
Currently, there are no vaccine requirements for day-care workers. Across schools, restaurants and the workplace, adults generally are not tracked for vaccinations as closely as young children entering school.
Since a December outbreak that started in Disneyland, 131 cases of measles in California have been confirmed, the Department of Public Health said Monday. Among those individuals for whom the department has vaccination documentation, 55 were unvaccinated and 18 had one or more doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. In the Bay Area, Alameda County has seen six cases, and Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties have each experienced a handful.