More Michigan Parents Refusing Vaccines for Children

The number of Michigan parents currently opting out of vaccinating their children has grown from last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Michigan has the country’s fourth-highest rate of parents getting religious or philosophical waivers to vaccine requirements. About 7,300, or 5.5 percent of the state's roughly 125,000 kindergarteners had medical, religious or philosophical waivers on file last school year, which is up from the 6,900 the year before and 5,700 in 2010-11, the Detroit Free Press reported. 

Plymouth-Canton Patch readers reacted to the news on Facebook. 

My son is selectively vaccinated," Jessika Whiteside wrote in a comment. "There are several vaccines that are more of convenience than need, and I don't see a reason to vaccinate such a little body against something which is not life threatening. A healthy body goes a long way against fighting these sorts of illnesses (i.e., flu, chicken pox). I also think it's misleading - that just because the government deems these vaccines 'necessary' doesn't necessarily mean they are all truly medically necessary for all individuals."

Kimberly Willey had a different opinion, writing that she was glad her kids were fully vaccinated and protected.

"...with such a high rate of children not getting theirs, it makes me feel safer for when more outbreaks begin because of these children and adults who will spread disease due to not being vaccinated. I think many people are just not properly educated on vaccines and don't realize how different things would be if we didn't have those vaccines," she wrote. 

Bill Lembesis wrote, "This is what happens when people are told things like 'evolution is a lie from the pit of hell' and 'climate change is a hoax'. Science has not found any links between vaccines and autism or any other danger. But how can we trust science, it's just an evil hoax right?"

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools has a first day exclusion policy when it comes to vaccinations, which means students must have an updated immunization record or signed waiver on file in the school office before the start of school.

An immunization waiver is acceptable only under the following conditions:

• A physician signed waiver that indicates that the required immunizations could not be given because of medical contraindications
• A parent/guardian signed waiver that states that immunizations have not been given for religious or personal reasons.
• A child who has been exempted from a vaccination is considered susceptible to the disease or diseases for which the vaccination offers protection. The child may be subject to exclusion from school, if the local and/or state public health authority advises exclusion as a disease control measure. (State of Michigan Department of Community Health)

• DTap (Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis)
• Polio
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)