Colorado tightens vaccine rules

The Colorado health department is making it tougher for parents to opt their children out of vaccines in an attempt to boost the state’s low vaccination rate.

Colorado, which has the lowest measles vaccination rate in the country, will now require parents to seek exemptions every year, rather than submitting a form just once after their child starts school, according to the Denver Post.

{mosads}The rules, which will take effect next summer, will also make public the immunization and exemptions rates for each school every year.

“These new rules are a positive step forward in strengthening our immunization rates and protecting our kids and the communities in Colorado,” Gov. John Hickenlooper wrote in a statement, adding, “our work is not done.”

Colorado requires annual vaccinations for kindergarten through 12th grade.

It is one of 20 states that allows parents to opt their children out for personal and religious reasons. Colorado’s form requires only a parent’s signature.

Nearly 5 percent of children are exempted for non-medical reasons, compared to the national average of 1.8 percent.