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Lack Of Vaccinations In Chicago Schools Could Cause Epidemic

Although school officials can urge parents to get their children vaccinated for diseases such as polio and measles, a growing group are claiming exemptions for either religious reasons or because of personal beliefs. Usually, when a student claims a vaccination exemption, no questions are asked. However, in about 122 schools, vaccinations levels have fallen below 90%. Medical experts believe that these schools are at a higher risk of fostering an environment that could cause an outbreak to occur.

When researchers looked at the 122 school in Chicago with low vaccination levels, they immediately saw two things. First, the levels are approximately the same across the board, which means that both low income and disadvantaged students are not going vaccinated as the same rates as students that come from more privileged backgrounds. Therefore, parents may not be getting their children vaccinated out of fear, medical or religious reasons. It seems that the choice not to vaccinate is really more about choice and not finances. Student attending charter schools, private school and public schools are being vaccinated at about the same rate in Chicago.

Some children who move to Chicago from different countries or even different school systems across the US can take a long time to become acclimated. This means that their shot records might not be up to date, and it can be several months before school administrators catch up. However, officials in Chicago schools say that they work diligently to get in contact with parents and urge them to get their children vaccinated each year with good results.

18.06.2011. 17:53