Compass: Immunization is vital for children, community

In recent years, Alaska’s immunization coverage rates for infants age 19-35 months have been among the lowest in the nation. In 2009 Alaska ranked 49th out of 50 states; in 2010 we bumped up slightly to 42nd; and in 2011 we bumped up again slightly to 39th. Despite this slow but steady trend in the right direction, a recent study performed by the Alaska Division of Public Health indicated that more Alaska mothers have been choosing to delay or decline vaccines for their children. This is alarming and unfortunate. Vaccines are among the most effective and safe public health interventions available to prevent serious disease and death. Before polio vaccine was available, 13,000 to 20,000 cases of paralytic polio were reported each year in the United States. Before measles immunization was available, nearly everyone in the U.S. got measles, and hundreds died annually from the infection. Prior to pertussis (whooping cough) immunization, between 150,000...