All articles tagged with #exemptions
Measles cases are climbing as infants remain ineligible for the MMR vaccine,占 leaving a protection gap and heightening outbreak risk; in South Carolina, nonmedical vaccine exemptions have surged and a bill would delay vaccines for children under two, fueling debates about parental choice and herd immunity as national cases rise and kindergarten vaccination rates lag.
SC lawmakers debated two vaccine-related bills amid what officials say is the nation’s worst measles outbreak, with one proposal banning vaccine mandates for children under 2 and another eliminating religious exemptions for the MMR vaccine; Democrats opposed both while Republicans framed them around parental rights and public health, as about 990 cases have been reported since October and vaccination uptake shows a recent uptick.
With tariffs expanding under President Trump, U.S. allies are pursuing exemptions and strategic adjustments—coordinating with partners, rerouting supply chains, and pressing Washington to shield their economies from the impact.
A JAMA analysis shows nonmedical exemptions to childhood vaccines rose in more than half of US counties since the Covid era, roughly quintupled from a median 0.6% (2010–11) to over 3% (2023–24), while medical exemptions stayed stable. Those pockets of under-vaccination are linked to localized outbreaks (e.g., Spartanburg County, SC, where exemptions reached about 8% in 2024 and measles cases surged). Despite a high national vaccination rate (about 96% vaccinated for required vaccines in 2024–25), the spread of outbreaks is driven by these clusters. Some states have restricted nonmedical exemptions, but vaccination remains the social norm for most Americans; addressing pockets requires doctor–family conversations and targeted public health efforts.
The United States has secured exemptions from the new global minimum corporate tax rules, allowing it to avoid certain tax obligations under the international agreement aimed at setting a minimum corporate tax rate.
The U.S. plans to impose 100% tariffs on imported branded pharmaceuticals, potentially raising drug prices, but exemptions for generics and U.S.-based manufacturing facilities may limit the impact. Major drugmakers are stockpiling supplies in anticipation, and some European companies expect little to no effect due to existing manufacturing investments and trade agreements.
The article discusses the high rates of vaccine exemptions at private and charter schools in Oregon, particularly in affluent neighborhoods, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles, and highlights legislative efforts to address this public health issue.
U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have declined to their lowest in years, with exemptions reaching an all-time high, raising concerns about increased risk of measles outbreaks as herd immunity drops below the safe threshold.
Vaccination rates among American kindergarteners have declined for all vaccines during the 2024-2025 school year, with exemptions rising to 3.6%, leading to a resurgence of measles cases, the highest since 2000, and falling below the CDC's herd immunity target of 95%.
Some states, including Massachusetts, are tightening vaccine exemption policies to combat declining vaccination rates and prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and chickenpox, with efforts to eliminate nonmedical exemptions such as religious beliefs, following trends in other states that have successfully increased immunization coverage.
The City of Los Angeles has implemented a curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM in downtown LA, specifically within the area bounded by the 5, 10, and 110 freeways, with exemptions for residents, workers, emergency personnel, and others. Residents and workers should carry proof of residency or employment, and public transit and delivery services may operate at the discretion of companies. The curfew aims to enhance public safety, with ongoing updates available through official transit alerts and city resources.
President Trump's new travel ban includes exemptions for athletes and coaches participating in major sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics, but the criteria for these exemptions remain unclear, potentially impacting upcoming international sports competitions in the U.S. such as the Gold Cup and Club World Cup.
California's new fast-food minimum wage law, which raises the minimum wage for fast-food workers, exempts certain establishments such as those in airports, hotels, event centers, theme parks, museums, and grocery establishments from the wage increase. This exemption means that employees working in these exempted locations won't benefit from the new law, while fast-food restaurants that don't meet the exemptions will be required to pay their employees more. As a result, some California-based franchise operators have announced plans to reduce staff or raise prices to cope with the increased labor costs.
Ahead of the potential start of congestion pricing in New York City this summer, MTA officials have outlined exemptions for certain vehicles, including government, school, and commuter buses. Taxis and rideshares will have surcharges, while low-income drivers may qualify for discounted tolls. The toll will be $15 for cars and higher for trucks, with exemptions for specialized government vehicles and emergency vehicles. The plan aims to reduce traffic and generate funds for transit system improvements, with tolling expected to begin as soon as June 15 pending final approval.
Chicago will begin evicting thousands of migrants from city and state-operated shelters, with 2,026 people set to be evicted by the end of April. The move has been met with outrage and confusion, as the city has faced an influx of over 37,100 new migrants since 2022. Mayor Brandon Johnson's office announced that some migrants will qualify for exemptions, including families with children, those securing housing, and individuals with medical issues. However, advocates and volunteers assisting the migrants criticize the lack of transparency and the chaotic eviction process. The city has also been dealing with a recent measles outbreak in one of its migrant shelters, prompting new vaccination requirements for residents.