New York eliminated the religious exemption to vaccine requirements for schoolchildren Thursday, as the nation's worst measles outbreak in decades prompts states to reconsider giving parents ways to opt out of immunization rules. The issue is hotly contested and debate around it has often been emotional, pitting cries that religious freedom is being curtailed against warnings that public health is being endangered. The debate has only intensified with this year's measles outbreak , which federal officials recently said has surpassed 1,000 illnesses, the highest in 27 years. "I have heard the anti-vaxxers' theory, but I believe both are overwhelmed by the public health risk." Maine ended its religious exemption earlier this year.

Source: Fox News June 13, 2019 23:00 UTC