Should measles shots be mandatory for all kids?

"About 1 in 10 students" in the Santa Monica school district "has been granted an exemption from immunization because of personal belief or for religious reasons," writes NPR reporter Kirk Siegler. "At some schools in wealthier pockets of the district, the rate is much higher. Gail Pinsker, district spokeswoman, said at a recent news conference that school officials respect the decisions of those parents who seek the exemption waiver. But they're pleading with the parents to reconsider."

"We are taking calls and concerns from parents," Pinsker says. "We are very transparent with this issue. We're talking about all the facts that we know, working closely with the health department."

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