More Than 1 in 10 Kids Are Behind on Vaccinations

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 3, 2011 8:30PM

A new study shows more parents are choosing not to have their children vaccinated or to delay vaccinations, citing safety issues. As a result more than 1 in 10 children under six are not vaccinated.

About 1 in 5 parents said they think it is safer to delay than to stick to the schedule. The recommended schedule of vaccinations for children 0-6, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians, includes 11 different points for vaccinations against everything from the flu to polio. The Washington Post reports that some pediatricians are refusing to treat children whose parents oppose vaccinations because they fear for their fellow patients.

In California last month a record number of parents -- about 2.5 percent -- used a "personal belief exemption" to skirt public school vaccine requirements. That's the highest number since the MMR vaccine became required for enrollment in 1978. That may be why in 2010 an epidemic of whooping cough started in California, resulting in the death of at least five children. It starts as a cold, then evolves into an extreme cough that results in a wheezing whoop, extreme fatigue and sometimes vomiting. (Eds. note: I had whooping cough as a child. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. S.A.)