Pressroom

Oregon Leads the Nation in Immunization Exemptions

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

By: Foden-Vencil, Kristian

05/08/2013

The number non-medical immunization exemptions for Oregon kindergartners reached 6.4 percent this year, according to the Oregon Pediatric Society. Health officials are very concerned about the exemption rate in certain pockets across the state, according to Anne Stone, policy consultant for the Oregon Pediatric Society. “There are pre-schools that have 70 or 80 percent of their children that are not being immunized,” said Stone. “So if one of these very contagious and dangerous diseases were to go into a community with that low a percentage of immunization, it could be real cause for concern.” A bill has been introduced in the state Legislature that would require residents to either watch an educational video or talk to a physician before receiving an exemption.



Copyright © 2014 Information, Inc.