Oregon parents cite religion to opt out of vaccines

PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) The number of parents in Oregon opting out of vaccines for their children is on the rise, state public health officials say. In 1992, 1.2 percent of kindergartners went unvaccinated. By last year, the rate had jumped to 4.9 percent — about 2,255 Oregon kindergartners. That so many Oregon parents have rejected […]

PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) The number of parents in Oregon opting out of vaccines for their children is on the rise, state public health officials say.

In 1992, 1.2 percent of kindergartners went unvaccinated. By last year, the rate had jumped to 4.9 percent — about 2,255 Oregon kindergartners.

That so many Oregon parents have rejected vaccines alarms Oregon’s public health officials, who are planning a campaign this year that includes social networking to try to persuade them to reconsider.


The overall vaccine opt-out rate for all schoolchildren in Oregon is 3.2 percent — one of the highest rates in the country, public health officials said.

The state allows parents to forgo vaccines for religious reasons, but the real reason behind these parents’ decisions tends to be rooted in skepticism about the vaccines, say public health experts.

Many parents who opt out of shots suspect childhood vaccines are linked to autism despite studies that have disputed such a tie. Others think shots overwhelm young immune systems. Still others think it’s best for children to develop natural immunity by getting a disease and fighting it.

“We are all more vulnerable when disease is circulating around,” said Colette Young, the state’s immunization surveillance and training manager.

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