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According to the New York Times, “In Maryland, Hundreds of parents, who had been warned that they might face fines and jail time unless they had their children immunized, brought their children to a courthouse to Upper Marlboro, Saturday for the vaccinations.� This was a request by Judge C. Philip Nichols Jr. of Prince George’s County Circuit Court, who is in charge of juvenile issues. The judge sent over 800 letters to families, strongly recommending that their children should be immunized at the courthouse or to prove that the children had been immunized in accordance with state law. “This year, the State of Maryland added the requirement that children have shots for hepatitis B and chickenpox in addition to other vaccinations including polio, mumps and measles.� Some were outraged with the letters while others knew it was best for everyone involved.

According to the Star Tribune, Parents in Prince George's County in Maryland have been ordered to appear at a special court hearing today where they will be given a choice: Get their children vaccinated on the spot or risk up to 10 days in jail and fines.� School officials say parents have been warned about the need for vaccinations over the past year. They also said the goal isn’t to throw parents in jail but to protect public health and get kids who have been barred from school back to class.

The New York Times article focuses more on what the result of the law has been and not as much on the law itself. The Times also has a better story because it uses more sources and includes quotes from both sides.