PHOENIX (AZFamily) — More Arizonans are choosing not to vaccinate themselves or their kids in a move that’s becoming concerning to some parents.
“I’m much more worried about them getting sick than from some mild vaccine side effects,” said Julie Birk, a parent of two children.
For Birk, she’s making sure her kids are following the vaccine schedule outlined by the CDC, something that not every parent is doing.
“I completely understand the reason behind some of the vaccine hesitancy. Parents are wanting what’s best for their kids,” said Birk. “Having an immuno-compromised parent who has cancer and if she were get exposed to these diseases, her immune system is compromised. It’s really scary as a mom and as a daughter.”
Maricopa County 6th graders with no vaccinations:
- 2019-2020: 2.6%
- 2020-2021: 2.7%
- 2021-2022: 2.4%
- 2022-2023: 3.1%
- 2023-2024: 3.9%
Yavapai County 6th graders with no vaccinations:
- 2019-2020: 5.1%
- 2020-2021: 5.4%
- 2021-2022: 5.6%
- 2022-2023: 6.0%
- 2023-2024: 8.6%
Mohave County 6th graders with no vaccinations:
- 2019-2020: 3.0%
- 2020-2021: 3.5%
- 2021-2022: 4.1%
- 2022-2023: 5.6%
- 2023-2024: 10.3%
Epidemiology expert, Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs, believes this topic has become very politicized when it shouldn’t be.
“People who genuinely have concerns about vaccines should absolutely not hesitate to speak with their physician about this. It is, in my opinion, the greatest public health achievement that we have ever had,” said Dr. Jacobs.
She said these rising numbers of people not getting vaccinated have an impact on herd immunity.
This is when if enough people are vaccinated from a virus, it can protect those who aren’t, like newborns.
“Infants cannot be vaccinated against measles until they are 1 year old and so if there are infants that are exposed to measles, they cannot have been vaccinated yet and they could become seriously ill,” Jacobs said.
Dr. Jacobs was referencing the issue of the current measles outbreak happening in west Texas.
It’s happening In an area that has one of the highest rates of vaccine exemptions.
All of the confirmed measles cases there were among unvaccinated people.
Cases of the measles are now appearing in neighboring New Mexico.
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