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

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.Further ReadingAnti-vaxxers celebrate victory in NJ as pro-vaccine bill falls apartIf 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 bu t 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.The bill was spurred by reports from state health officials of a 25 percent spike in religious exemptions from last year, lowering overall vaccination rates in state schools. Proponents of the measure said they will continue to update and improve the bill, the Courant noted.In January, similar protests from anti-vaccine advocates led to state legislatures abandoning a measure to ban religious exemptions there.