In just this year alone, there have been 880 cases of measles in the United States with 24 states reporting cases and outbreaks occurring in New York, Oregon, and Washington. This is double the amount of reported measles cases in 2018, and is the greatest number of measles cases reported in the U.S. since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

These outbreaks occur from pockets of people who are not vaccinated becoming infected and causing the disease to spread rapidly. Due to the ability to get non-medical exemptions, these pockets of people are able to avoid getting vaccinations creating risk to others.

By allowing these pockets to form from people having the ability to avoid getting vaccinated through non-medical exemptions, children and families are put at risk. This risk is even greater to those who are unable get vaccinated because they are immunocompromised or are taking immunosuppressants.

SF 1520 would eliminate non-medical exemptions for vaccines in Minnesota helping to prevent future outbreaks. By signing this petition, it would show the Minnesota Senate that there is public support for SF 1520 and a desire to keep vaccination rates high to protect the families and communities of Minnesota.