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Court: Parents found unfit can’t stop vaccines for kids

Posted at 3:34 PM, Mar 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-24 15:34:18-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan appeals court says parents who are declared unfit can’t prevent their children from being vaccinated against illness.

In a 3-0 decision this week, the court affirmed a decision by a Kent County judge who ordered vaccinations for four children in foster care. The request was made by a state foster care worker who was assigned to their case.

The children’s mother had objected to vaccinations on religious grounds. But Judge Paul Denenfeld in 2015 said she had forfeited the right to make decisions for the children. The judge said vaccinations would benefit the children and society.