MMA Continues to Make Progress on Pro-Vaccine Legislation

March 19, 2026

Several vaccine-related bills, including SF 3439 (Boldon, DFL – Rochester), were heard recently in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. 

The bill would prohibit the use of conscientious objection exemptions for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in school and childcare settings, while maintaining existing medical exemptions. 

Physician testifiers emphasized the urgent need to protect children from preventable diseases, particularly as vaccination rates decline. In a letter of support, the MMA noted that only about 87% of Minnesota kindergarteners have received the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine, well below the approximately 95% threshold needed to maintain community immunity and prevent outbreaks. 

SF 3439 was passed out of committee and referred to the Senate Education Policy Committee for further consideration. A House companion bill has not yet been introduced. 

The committee also heard SF 4416, (Wiklund, DFL – Bloomington), a Minnesota Department of Health policy bill focused on updating Minnesota’s immunization statute. The bill clarifies that “medically acceptable standards” for immunizations are based on the schedule determined by the Commissioner of Health and informed by recommendations from leading national medical and public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. 

MMA President Lisa Mattson, MD, testified in support of the bill, underscoring the importance of grounding immunization policy in evidence-based standards. She noted that aligning state statute with recommendations from national medical experts and organizations helps ensure policies remain current and responsive to evolving public health needs. 

Supporters also raised concerns about declining vaccination rates in Minnesota in recent years, noting that lower immunization coverage increases the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases. Maintaining clear, science-based standards helps protect not only vaccinated individuals, but also vulnerable populations, including infants, older adults, and those who are immunocompromised. 

SF 4416 was passed as amended, and referred to the Senate Education Policy Committee. A House companion bill has not yet been introduced.