California Considering Mandatory Chickenpox Vaccinations

Federal health officials recommend that all youngsters be inoculated against chickenpox before entering child care, but only 35% of California’s children receive the vaccine, according to the latest national survey. California is considering mandatory use of the vaccine, which has been available since 1995, to combat the highly contagious disease.
Source: Los Angeles Times – July 27, 1999

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Mandatory?
Vaccination Exemptions allowed

Medical: All states allow medical exemptions. Usually applies to those who are immunocompromised, allergic to vaccine constituents or have certain illnesses. Physician documentation of the condition is required.
Religious: 48 states allow exemptions based on faith.
Other: 15 states allow “philosophical” or “personal” exemptions.
Source: Salmon et al.; JAMA, July 9