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\nThe Latest on legislation to eliminate a religious exemption to New York state’s vaccine requirements (all times local):<\/p>\n
\n6:35 p.m.<\/p>\n
\nNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation eliminating a religious exemption to vaccine mandates for schoolchildren in the face of the nation’s worst measles outbreak in decades.<\/p>\n
\nThe Democrat signed the bill Thursday soon after it was approved by lawmakers.<\/p>\n
\nSimilar exemptions are allowed in 46 states, though lawmakers in several of them are also considering the elimination of the waiver. Maine nixed its religious exemption earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\nHundreds of opponents of the bill, including parents of unvaccinated children, protested outside New York’s Capitol ahead of Thursday’s vote. They say the bill is an assault on religious freedom.<\/p>\n
\nSupporters say misinformation spread by anti-vaxxers has created a public health<\/a> crisis.<\/p>\n \nHealth officials said last week that this year’s U.S. measles epidemic has surpassed 1,000 illnesses, the highest in 27 years.<\/p>\n \n\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \n6:15 p.m.<\/p>\n \nNew York lawmakers have passed a bill that will eliminate a religious exemption to vaccine mandates for schoolchildren in the face of the state’s worst measles outbreak in decades.<\/p>\n