Improving Nonmedical Vaccine Exemption Policies: Three Case Studies

Legislative prescriptions for controlling nonmedical vaccine exemptions.

During2014,numerouscommunitiesacross theUnited States have been affected by significant, largely avoidable outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses (VPIs), such as measles, mumps, and pertussis.1 These outbreaks have been associated with increasing numbers of familiesactivelydeclining immunizationsagainstVPIs for their children.2 States can require that families submit documentation that thei...

Improving software testing via ODC: Three case studies

Exempting schoolchildren from immunizations: states with few barriers had highest rates of nonmedical exemptions.

Rates of nonmedical exemptions from school immunizations are increasing and have been associated with resurfacing clusters of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles. Historically, state-level school immunization policies successfully suppressed such diseases. We examined state immunization exemption regulations across the United States. We assessed procedures for exempting schoolchildren...

Nonmedical exemptions to school immunization requirements: secular trends and association of state policies with pertussis incidence.

CONTEXT School immunization requirements have played a major role in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Most states offer nonmedical exemptions to school requirements (religious or personal belief). Exemptors are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting disease. The role of exemption policies may be especially important for pertussis, which is endemic in the U...

Improving the implementation of health workforce policies through governance: a review of case studies

INTRODUCTION Responsible governance is crucial to national development and a catalyst for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To date, governance seems to have been a neglected issue in the field of human resources for health (HRH), which could be an important reason why HRH policy formulation and implementation is often poor. This article aims to describe how governance issues have inf...