Oceanside CA- The percentage of kindergarteners with a personal beliefs exemption for childhood vaccinations reached 4.5 percent this school year in San Diego. What this means is that more than 1,900 of the 43,000 plus kindergarteners enrolled in local schools were missing one or more of the recommended vaccines.
April 26 through May 3 is National Infant Immunization Week and the County Health and Human Services Agency is encouraging parents to make sure their children get vaccinations on the schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“A higher number of un-vaccinated infants means more children are susceptible to disease,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way parents can protect their children against disease.”
Vaccinations help protect local children and the general public from disease. Countywide immunization efforts are part of the County’s Live Well San Diego initiative, which aims to improve the health and well-being of local residents. Parents should ask their doctor or clinic to check their child’s immunization record and make sure their baby is up-to-date.
For those who choose not to vaccinate their children, there are many resources available to help you make an informed decision. ‘Why I Choose’ has a list of pros and cons [Link] of vaccinating your child and some of the ramifications of not doing so.