Georgia lawmakers watchful on measles, but expect no changes

The national measles outbreak wreaking havoc from California to Chicago has Georgia lawmakers keeping a watchful eye on the Peach State's health precautions. What they don't expect, however, is any change to the state's current policy that allows religious exemptions — and religious exemptions only — to otherwise mandatory vaccinations.

Senate Health and Human Services Chairwoman Renee Unterman, R-Buford, said she has been keeping in touch with Brenda Fitzgerald, the state's health officer and commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. She supports widening the ability for pharmacies to offer mandatory vaccinations, and is optimistic proposed legislation allowing that will pass this year.

“It’s about accessibility. As we have less access to primary care physicians, you know, even small towns have a CVS now,” said Unterman, who otherwise does not anticipate efforts to change the state’s current vaccination policy. “No, it’s not on the radar screen. I haven’t had any senator ask me about it.”