An attempt to improve vaccination rates in Colorado failed Tuesday in the state Senate.
Instead, the Senate approved a bill to enhance vaccine education efforts — a watered-down version of a measure that would have made it harder for parents to opt out of vaccinating their children.
Colorado is among a handful of states that allow parents to sign “personal belief” exemptions from required immunizations, and last school year Colorado had the sixth-highest rate of immunization exemption in the U.S., at 4.3 percent.
The bill would have required parents invoking the “personal belief” exemption to watch a video about vaccinations or get doctor clearance.
Democratic sponsors said the bill stood no chance of passage in the face of strong opposition.
