Maine and Vermont continue to have among the highest rates of unvaccinated children entering kindergarten.

New statistics released this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covering the 2015-2016 school year found that Maine ranked eighth in the percentage of children entering school without being vaccinated. Vermont ranked third.

Some believe that low vaccination rates could rekindle attempts in Maine to pass a law making it more difficult for parents to forgo vaccinations for their children.

Gordon Smith of the Maine Medical Association tells the Portland Press Herald that legislation to improve vaccination rates are a "high priority" for doctors.

Last year Vermont passed a law that takes effect this school year that eliminated philosophical exemptions for parents who don't want to vaccinate their children. — PORTLAND, Maine (AP)

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