Connecticut Sen. Murphy Wants Parents Warned Of Vaccine Refusal Risks

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy is proposing legislation that would encourage states to warn parents of the health risks from not immunizing their children.

The Democrat plans to introduce a bill in the U.S. Senate that would provide incentives to states that require parents who want a non-medical exemption from having their child vaccinated to be informed of the risks.

In some states, parents can opt for exemptions to the measles vaccine for their kids based on religious or philosophical grounds, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reported.

Murphy said that could set a dangerous precedent because it allows parents to object without checking in with a doctor first.

"The reality is that in some parts of California, for instance, because of bad science that's out there, there are neighborhoods where 60 percent of kids aren't vaccinated. It's crazy," Murphy said.

He believes that each state should be encouraged to warn parents of the health risk before opting their kids out of the vaccine.

"Before you choose not to get a vaccination for your child just make sure that you talk a doctor, make sure that you get some real good medical information," Murphy said.

Parents need to know the vaccinations are effective and that they're not dangerous, Murphy said.

More than 70 people in California and about two dozen in six other states, Mexico and Canada have recently been sickened with measles.

There have been no measles cases yet in Connecticut, but Murphy said the rate of parental objections is rising in the state.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)