A philosophical debate on a philosophical exemption as the House discusses how far the state should go in requiring parents to immunize their children. Children would have to get shots for chickenpox and Hepatitis A under the bill one vote away from moving to the Senate. Medical and religious exemptions would be granted. Representative Pat Dougherty of St. Louis objects when some try to add a philosophical exemption. A compromise is reached to allow for a philosophical exemption to Hepatitis A and chickenpox, but not for Hepatitis B, something Representative Jon Dolan of Lake St. Louis doesn’t understand, arguing only those engaged in unsafe sex or other risky behavior are endanger of Hepatitis B. A segment requiring restaurants to immunize workers has been stripped from the bill.
