Permanent Vacation or Vaccination?

With the recent outbreak of measles in the United States recently, I thought maybe we should explore the laws and current guidelines on vaccinating children on a state by state basis.  All states have guidelines or laws regarding who may or may not be vaccinated.  Mississippi has the highest vaccination rate for school-age children.  Last year, 99.7 percent of the state’s kindergartners were fully vaccinated. Just 140 students in Mississippi entered school without all of their required shots.

On the opposite end of the spectrum California, (currently news fodder for its Disneyland outbreak), had 8% (totaling 41,000 children in Kindergarten) failing to get the required immunizations against mumps, measles and rubella.

 Although Mississippi  ranks last in overall health, vaccines are one area where it excels beyond many "healthier" states.
Currently, West Virginia and Mississippi are the only two states that don't allow children in public schools to forgo vaccinations for religious or "philosophical" reasons. Below is a cool interactive map I found that shows a recent history of vaccine-preventable outbreaks and where they occurred in the world:

attribution: cfr.org

and below shows the 50 states and their current guidelines on vaccinations:

 

 

 

Story of Tammy and measles

 

In South Dakota, there are only two legal exemptions to the measles vaccine for students -- one is if you're severely allergic and the other is for religious reasons.

Parents cannot simply say they do not want their children to be vaccinated.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger says 1.5% of kindergartners have a medical exemption and 1% have a religious exemption. That ranks our state in the 98th percentile range of vaccination coverage.

Only religions that have a written doctrine saying so are approved for religious exemptions. Those students are allowed in South Dakota schools.

"If your kids are vaccinated, you're fine. Are there kids in school who have not been vaccinated? Obviously, there are, but if your kids has had two vaccines, then you're okay," said Dr. Kara Bruning, Avera Medical Group pediatrician.

Measles is an airborne virus but doctors say it is only around for two hours -- and if your child is immunized, you don't have anything to worry about.

Measle Myths article from NBC news

Below is South Dakota's codified law on tests and immunizations:

13-28-7.1.   Tests and immunizations for communicable diseases required for admission to school or early childhood program--Exceptions--Rules. Any pupil entering school or an early childhood program in this state, shall, prior to admission, be required to present to the appropriate school authorities certification from a licensed physician that the child has received or is in the process of receiving adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and varicella, according to recommendations provided by the Department of Health. The Department of Health may modify or delete any of the required immunizations. As an alternative to the requirement for a physician's certification, the pupil may present:

             (1)      Certification from a licensed physician stating the physical condition of the child would be such that immunization would endanger the child's life or health; or

             (2)      A written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent to a religious doctrine whose teachings are opposed to such immunization; or

             (3)      A written statement signed by one parent or guardian requesting that the local health department give the immunization because the parents or guardians lack the means to pay for such immunization.

     The Department of Health may promulgate reasonable rules, in accordance with chapter 1-26, to require compliance and documentation of adequate immunization, to define appropriate certification, and to specify standard procedure.


So for your assignment:

1.  Look at the interactive map.  How many cases of measles were in S.D. as of January, 2015?

2.  How many cases were in California?             How about Ohio?

3.  What about the world in 2014?                       How about 2015 so far?

How many states currently allow for religious exemptions from vaccinations.

4.  Read the story of Tammy Hill and measles.  Write 4 sentences explaining your thoughts.



5.  What are the two legal exemptions to the measles vaccine for students in South Dakota?

      a.
      b.

6.  Is measles an airborne virus?

7.  List the "7 vaccine myths debunked by Doctors article."

8.  Read South Dakota's current law on vaccinations.  In a minimum of 200 words do you support the law as is?  If not, how would you change/amend the current law.  What would it say?  As a parent will you vaccinate your children accordingly?