New Law Requires Children to be Fully Vaccinated Before Enrolling in School

Students in Santa Barbara County must be up-to-date on all of their vaccinations in order to go to public school.

California lawmakers passed Senate Bill 277 to repeal the personal belief exemptions that allowed parents to opt their child out of vaccines.

The first day of school in the area is August 22 and many parents are standing firm with their beliefs.

“As a parent, I made my own decision. I shouldn’t need a doctor, or a school, or the government what to put inside my child,” said Susie Velasquez, a mother of three.

Velasquez vaccinated two of her children and chose not to with one of them.

“There was no difference in neither one of them and now that I know that there are no special reaction, I can go ahead and vaccinate the first one.. No big deal, but that was what I did myself so I can know,” said Velasquez.

Some parents are reluctant to vaccinate their children because of a negative experiences.

We reached out to Santa Barbara County Public Health, Children’s Medical Clinic, Hope Elementary School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, several local pediatricians and County of Santa Barbara.

They all declined to speak publicly on the new requirement. However, a receptionist at the Children’s Medical Clinic says doctors are reluctant to talk on camera about the requirement, but did say the clinic has seen an increase of people asking for vaccinations.