Jessica Biel Draws Heat After Coming To Sacramento To Speak Against California Vaccine Bill

SACRAMENTO (CBS13/AP) - Actress Jessica Biel says she's not opposed to vaccinations, but she does not support a bill in California that would limit medical exemptions.

The 37-year-old has drawn criticism after appearing this week in Sacramento with vaccination skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to voice concerns about the measure.

Kennedy posted photos on Instagram showing Biel meeting with him and appearing on the California State Senate floor.

Biel then posted on Instagram Thursday morning that she supports children getting vaccinated and she also supports families having the "right to make educated medical decisions for their children alongside their physicians."

"I am not against vaccinations — I support children getting vaccinations and I also support families having the right to make educated medical decisions for their children alongside their physicians," Biel wrote. 

Biel wrote that she argued against the bill because her friends have a child with a medical condition warranting an exemption and the bill would "greatly affect their family's ability to care for their child."

The actress has fielded fierce criticism for her stance.

California State Senator Richard Pan, one of the champions of the vaccine bill, called Biel out in a tweet.

"Promoting misinformation that discourages vaccination defines being an anti-vaxxer," Pan wrote.

The bill follows a recent rise in cases of measles, mumps and other infectious diseases nationwide.

Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.