Bill to remove MMR vaccine exemptions moves through Wash. Legislature

A requirement that most school aged children be vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella is inching closer to becoming law in Washington state.

A version of the bill passed the Senate Wednesday night.

No personal or philosophical exemptions: That would be the rule on the measles vaccine for all children entering school — unless they had a religious or medical exemption.

The legislative action follows a measles outbreak in Clark County that infected 74 people. Public hearings on the legislation have drawn overflow crowds and emotional testimony from people like Amber Eleazar from Newman Lake.

"My grandson was almost killed by his MMR vaccine. He now has a medical exemption. But we will never take that chance again with our children or our grandchildren," Eleazar told a senate committee.

The action happened late Wednesday night which surprised the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver.

Harris says he was told the bill was dead.

“I’m really shocked actually. I was going to head home and I thought well I’ll just walk over to the senate and got a text that they were going to run the bill.”

Under the bill the measles vaccine would be required for all children entering school -- unless they had a religious or medical exemption.

The legislative action follows a measles outbreak in Clark County that infected 74 people. Public hearings on the legislation have drawn overflow crowds and emotional testimony.

Harris says the bill that passed the Senate was the original version from the House, which will likely concur next week.