VACCINES MADE MANDATORY FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN

MILAN The Italian government has made 12 vaccines mandatory for children attending schools up to age 16 to combat what it characterizes as misinformation.

The measures approved Friday follow an intense public debate over vaccines after a measles outbreak and political sniping over accusations that the populist 5-Star movement emboldened antivaccine advocates.

Premier Paolo Gentiloni said the new rules aimed to combat “anti-scientific theories” that have lowered vaccination rates.

The government approved making 12 vaccines, including measles and chickenpox, mandatory for children entering school. Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin said children will not be accepted into nursery or preschools without proof of vaccinations, while parents of schoolage children will face hefty fines for non-compliance.