The government's decree making
vaccines obligatory for school admission was approved by the
Senate on Thursday, with 171 votes in favour, 63 against and 19
abstentions.
The legislation, which needs to win final approval by August
6 to avoid being timed out, now moves to the Lower House.
It was amended in the Senate, reducing the number of vaccines
obligatory for admission to nursery and elementary schools for
children up to six from 12 to 10, while four other are strongly
recommended.
The legislation was also changed to reduce the fines for
parents who fail to respect the law and remove the threat of
these parents losing custody of their children.
The government passed the decree after Italy suffered an
upsurge in measles cases amid growing vaccine skepticism.
Some have blamed past statements by members of the 5-Star
Movement (M5S) for contributing to the skepticism, which has
seen vaccine coverage rates drop.
The anti-establishment group has denied being against
vaccines.
Veneto Governor Luca Zaia, a member of the Northern League,
has said his region intends to challenge the decree at the
Constitutional Court.
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