Milwaukee, WI – Senator Chris Larson released the following statement in response to today’s 6-4 vote in the Joint Committee on the Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) to block implementation of C.R. 19-079, regarding changes to vaccination requirements for school children.
“Today, in strictly partisan fashion, legislative Republicans rejected the best advice of scientists and medical professionals by blocking implementation of a rule which would have protected our children and education professionals from unnecessary exposure to dangerous diseases.
“By rejecting common-sense provisions, Wisconsin remains out of step with our neighboring states and leaves our kids at increased risk of meningitis and varicella, also known as Chicken Pox. That my GOP colleagues chose to do this in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic is shocking and highly irresponsible.
“Public health decisions should be made on the basis of science, not in caving to the wishes of a small, vocal minority. Today’s vote puts us further away from that goal at a time we should be listening to experts and putting public health first.”