Vote delayed on immunization grant program

The Minnesota state Legislature's only Somali-American representative is fighting against misinformation in her community about the danger of vaccinations.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minneapolis, attempted Monday to create a grant program targeting "geographic areas and populations experiencing (or at risk of experiencing) an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease."

This language is meant to apply the grants to populations like the Twin Cities Somali community, which is currently experiencing a large measles outbreak.

Omar requested to suspend Minnesota House rules and bring the measure to a vote Monday, but her request was voted down.

The bill would give $500,000 next year to provide immunization education to vulnerable communities and assist in funding immunizations for low-income individuals in those communities.