Press Releases

On Friday, May 3, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson reintroduced the Vaccinate All Children Act to promote the immunization of public school children and prevent public health crises. The legislation would disallow states from offering non-medical exemptions for meeting school vaccine requirements. Children for whom immunization is medically safe would be required to be vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

"The health and safety of children must be our top priority. Vaccines play an important role in keeping all children safe, especially those with compromised immune systems who rely on herd immunity to safeguard against potentially deadly viruses," said Congresswoman Wilson.

Research has shown that vaccination is an effective and necessary tool to guard against the spread of viruses. One dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles, while two doses are 97 percent effective.

The risks associated with vaccination are often exaggerated and based on discredited or unscientific understandings of vaccines. The popular theory that vaccines cause autism, for example, has been debunked by the medical community and no such link has ever been proven.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of confirmed measles cases has reached a 25-year high at 764. The Sun-Sentinel has reported that two cases have been confirmed in Florida, one of which was linked to Broward County.

"The ongoing measles outbreak, which has spread to 23 states, is a national health crisis that requires a national solution. We must allow science and fact-based research to guide us in making the right decision for our communities and our children," said Congresswoman Wilson.