Few conspiracy theories have proven as dangerous as the link between autism and vaccines. Anti-vaxxers will refuse to vaccinate their kids, despite the vast supply of information that proves the theory false. Education may be able to persuade some unsure parents to vaccinate their kids, but many will claim religious or philosophical exemption from vaccination mandates. It is time to eliminate said exemptions and once again eradicate diseases like the measles.

Every state allows exemption from vaccination on medical grounds, such as an illness or physical condition that makes vaccination life-threatening for the child. These exemptions are acceptable, but it is the other exemptions—religious and philosophical—that are dangerous and unjustified. Currently, only three states do not allow exemption from vaccination based on religious or philosophical reasons—California, Mississippi and West Virginia. Of the remaining states, a small majority, including New York, permit religious exemptions only, while the others allow both exemptions. Even though many make the case that vaccination exemption should fall under First Amendment rights, the decision not to vaccinate affects more than just those parents’ children.

In 2000, measles was considered eradicated in the U.S., but, in the years since, it has come back with increasing outbreaks in the U.S. and 124 cases reported just this year, as of Aug. 11, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This is largely because, in many places in the U.S., vaccination rates have dipped below that necessary for herd immunity—the percentage of the population that has to be vaccinated in order to prevent an outbreak. Herd immunity for measles is between 90 and 95 percent, according to the Public Broadcasting Service and the World Health Organization. According to the CDC, much of the U.S. has a vaccination rate below that threshold. New York’s vaccination rate in 2016 was 94.2 percent—within range—but other states, such as Alaska and Montana, which only allow religious exemption, were well below, around 86 percent.

There is a lot of misinformation out there, resulting in many feeling uncertain what to believe when it comes to the vaccination debate. It is prudent to point out, however, that the evidence often used by anti-vaxxers goes back to a 1998 British study that was later retracted— and its doctor revoked of his medical license—due to its unethical practices and ultimately false conclusions that no other studies could verify. Anyone who has researched investigative reporting likely knows about the work of Brian Deer— the reporter at a British newspaper who helped dispel the vaccination myth by exposing the study for the lie it was.

It seems many have forgotten or simply do not know about this study or its subsequent retraction. Instead, Andrew Wakefield, the once-doctor that conducted the study, continues to grow a following, cumulating in the creation of “Vaxxed,” a 2016 documentary that accuses the CDC of falsifying reports to cover up a causal link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

In this debate, parents seem to fall into three major categories: those determined to vaccinate their kids, those determined not to vaccinate their kids, and those generally uncertain about what they should do. Anti-vaxxers typically cite their right to opt out because they believe it ultimately only affects their child. The sad truth is that there are some children that cannot be vaccinated due to their age or physical condition, making them the vulnerable population susceptible to deadly diseases thanks to parents’ refusal to vaccinate their kids. What is even worse is, though some education can possibly convince the uncertain parents to vaccinate their kids, strong believers in the false link likely will not change their minds.

The increasing popularity of this harmful myth is causing sufficient damage to justify the elimination of the religious exemptions for vaccinations in every state, but due to the current administration, it is unlikely there will be nationwide change. What is achievable, though, is electing officials into office to make the necessary change at the state level.