PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Debate is intensifying over a referendum aimed at reversing a law that eliminates religious and philosophical exemptions for childhood vaccinations.

A group that supports the elimination of most opt-outs hit the television airwaves last week with opposition to the referendum question last week. Critics of the law will begin airing ads this week.

Mainers will get the final say on March 3 on a law that ends non-medical vaccine opt-outs by September 2021 for students at public and private schools and universities, including nursery schools, and for health care facility employees.