Voters could decide whether Arizona can impose vaccine or other medical mandates in places like public schools.
The Arizona House passed legislation that would amend the state constitution to recognize a “right to refuse medical mandates.” If it passes the Senate, it would go on the November ballot.
Republican Rep. Nick Kupper (Surprise) is the bill’s sponsor. “It just says that you cannot, as the state, ban access to a public facility, actually not just public to a facility or to a space or to employment solely based on not taking some medical product,” he explained.
Opponents say the language is confusing and that it would prevent government entities including schools from taking common sense steps to protect students and staff during outbreaks.
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Rep. Andy Biggs released a list of health policy commitments in his campaign for Arizona governor. Public health experts say proposals to loosen vaccine requirements could have dangerous consequences. -
In Arizona, more than 10.5% of kindergartners had an exemption from mandatory school vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Will Humble with the Arizona Public Health Association says the order may be an effort to help push Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s changes in vaccine schedules that have been blocked in courts. -
Measles continues to spread in Arizona and as kids are heading back to school, most classrooms across the state have immunization rates below the level recommended to prevent an outbreak. -
Pinal and Maricopa counties confirmed new cases this week. And Yavapai County on Wednesday confirmed its first measles case of 2026.
