Vermont below national average in childhood vaccinations

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(NECN: Anya Huneke) - Vermont is at the bottom of the list in New England - and below the national average - when it comes to childhood vaccinations. It's a ranking state health officials say needs to change.

When it came to vaccinating her two children, Jill Soulia of Essex, Vermont, did not make the decision lightly.


Jill SouliaParent "You hear a lot of controversy that it might be linked to autism..."

She did a lot of research, asked her doctor a lot of questions, and ultimately opted to go ahead with it-- on a slightly altered schedule.

Jill "I do try to spread those vaccinations out."

Many parents in Vermont share concerns about childhood immunization.

Sabrina "You have this perfect little baby, you don't want to pump them full of all sorts of crazy things."

Which is evident in new data released by the centers for disease control and prevention. The annual survey finds Vermont has the lowest toddler vaccination rates in New England. At 60-percent, Vermont is also well below the national average of 70-percent.

What makes the numbers even more disheartening to health officials is the fact that Vermont hasn't always been on the low end.  In fact, as recently as 2003, Vermont had one of the nation's *highest* childhood immunization rates- at 84%... compared to the national average of 79%.

Vermont health commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis says vaccines help prevent 14 life-threatening diseases- including measles, polio, and chickenpox, and are safe, effective, and the best known protection for children.

Dr. Wendy Davis, MDVT Health Dept. "We feel very confident about the safety and reliability of the vaccines."

Dr. Eliot NelsonVT Children's Hospital, FAHC "We know vaccines cannot be 100% free of side effects."

Pediatrician Dr. Eliot Nelson says side effects - such as fever, rash, and swelling - can result from any shot. But they're rare.
     
And he feels confident the measles vaccine is not linked to autism.

Some parents believe the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.

Health officials say it's a risk they're convinced- is not worth taking.

Tags: vermont, Anya Huneke, vaccinations

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