The Lower House on Friday gave final
approval to the government's decree making vaccines obligatory
for school admission.
It passed with with 296 votes in favour, 92 against and 15
abstentions.
The legislation makes 10 vaccines obligatory for admission to
nursery and elementary schools for children up to six, while
four others are strongly recommended.
Parents who fail to comply face fines of up to 500 euros.
The government passed the decree after Italy suffered an
upsurge in measles cases amid growing vaccine skepticism.
"The definitive approval of the decree will raise the level
of health protection of Italian families," Premier Paolo
Gentiloni said.
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.
"I'm very satisfied," said Health Minister Beatrice
Lorenzin.
"We have made this generation and future generations secure
from a series of very serious infectious diseases.
"Today we have given our children a protective shield against
very serious illnesses that are still with us".
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