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Pa. law makes it easy for parents to opt out of vaccination requirements

Pennsylvania’s vaccine exemption laws are surprisingly loose. And now, fewer kindergarteners across the Philly-region are protected against measles — one of the most contagious viruses in the world. An Inquirer analysis found: - Religious vaccine exemptions in the Philly suburbs jumped 76% in five years - 50 Pennsylvania counties are now below the herd immunity threshold for measles - More than 1,000 unvaccinated Philly-area kindergarteners had no approved exemption, or plan to catch up on shots - Virtually no students were denied admission because of vaccination status in 2024 Meanwhile, measles can infect nine out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to it. So yeah … this isn’t just paperwork and policy. Read more about this analysis at our link in bio  — including why health experts say Pennsylvania could be vulnerable to an outbreak. Did you like this news breakdown? Let us know ... what should Ariane break down next?
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    Ariane Datil
    Instagram
    Bluesky
    Threads
    I create lifestyle and culture videos about what makes Philly a great place to live, work, and play while spotlighting Inquirer reporting across social platforms, helping people see how our work connects to their world.
    Aubrey Whelan
    Bluesky
    I write stories about public health — covering government health agencies, the opioid crisis, infectious diseases, and access to care. I also report on issues that matter to the people who work in health care.
    Lizzie Mulvey
    I'm a data reporter who loves telling visual stories by combining data analysis with video and hand-drawn illustrations.