Introduction to the Rise of Religious Vaccine Exemptions
A growing number of Floridians are choosing not to vaccinate their children, as parts of the country are currently battling measles outbreaks. At least one measles case has been reported in South Florida.
While most students are vaccinated in Broward and Miami-Dade schools, the number of students with religious exemptions to vaccine requirements has gone up in both counties in recent years, according to data obtained by NBC6 Investigates.
The National Context
The trend is not only happening in Florida. Measles is a virus once considered eliminated in the United States. There have been cases reported in at least 15 states so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreaks of measles in two states have been linked to two deaths, including a child in Texas, and an adult in New Mexico who tested positive for the virus. Both were unvaccinated according to health officials.
Local Impact
In early March, a student at Miami Palmetto Senior High School tested positive for measles, the school district confirmed. It’s the type of news Monique Gonzalez, a mom with two kids in public schools, doesn’t want to hear. “These diseases are really infectious,” she said. She says she followed guidance from the family’s pediatrician and vaccinated both of her kids. “It was a logical thing to do,” she said, “I want my kids to be healthy. I want them to be safe.”
Understanding Measles
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be spread through coughing, sneezing, and even breathing. In rare cases, it can lead to serious complications, including encephalitis or even death. While the majority of parents do vaccinate their children, the number of those choosing not to is on the rise. Data from the CDC shows the percentage of children in kindergarten with a non-medical exemption is growing nationwide, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expert Insights
“Florida actually is amongst the leaders in vaccine exemptions,” according to Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Florida, and the former director of the Duval County Health Department. He says religious exemptions have reached levels that put communities well below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergarteners needed to protect against measles outbreaks. “To a point where in fact we do not have herd immunity,” he said, “And it increases the risk not only for those individuals who are not vaccinated but for the community in general.”
State Response
A January report from the Florida Department of Health says religious exemptions among children ages 5 to 17 are increasing each month. Statewide, over 6% of kids have opted out of immunization by requesting religious exemptions. In some counties, it’s up to nearly 15%. The department says in the report “Communities with a higher proportion of religious exemptions (REs) to vaccination are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease transmission.” Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was asked about his message for parents who have concerns about the risk of vaccine-preventable disease transmission. “The same message I’ve pretty much always had,” he said, “Which is that parents should be able to make the choices they want for their families, for their kids. The increase of religious exemptions is not just Florida but just around the country.”
Addressing Misinformation
Ladapo blames the increase to health officials’ response to the COVID pandemic, adding he believes they “squandered” trust during that period. When asked again what he wants to say to parents in Florida who are now relying on him and his department for guidance about vaccines. “In some areas, parents have had a very difficult time getting good information, getting unbiased information,” he stated. Meanwhile, vaccine skepticism is reaching new highs. “I do feel the misinformation that’s out there could confuse somebody,” said Monique Gonzalez. “There’s been no issue in medicine that’s been studied more than vaccines,” Dr. Goldhagen said, adding it’s good for parents to be hesitant and ask questions, but he urges them to rely on their own trusted doctors.
Conclusion
The rise of religious vaccine exemptions in South Florida schools is a concerning trend that could have serious implications for public health. With measles outbreaks reported in several states and a case confirmed in Miami-Dade County, it is crucial for parents to make informed decisions about vaccinating their children. While the debate about vaccine requirements continues, health experts stress the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of diseases like measles. As Dr. Goldhagen fears, the current pattern of not vaccinating children will continue, exposing more young people to a virus that should be taken seriously. “Any death of a child is serious and lamentable,” he said, “But a death of a child from a preventable disease is unconscionable.”
FAQs
- Q: What is the current trend regarding vaccine exemptions in South Florida schools?
A: There is a growing number of students with religious exemptions to vaccine requirements in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties. - Q: How many states have reported measles cases this year?
A: At least 15 states have reported measles cases so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. - Q: What is the threshold for herd immunity against measles?
A: The vaccination threshold for kindergarteners needed to protect against measles outbreaks is 95%. - Q: What does the Florida Department of Health report say about religious exemptions?
A: The report states that communities with a higher proportion of religious exemptions to vaccination are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease transmission. - Q: What is the message from Florida’s Surgeon General to parents concerned about vaccine-preventable diseases?
A: He believes parents should be able to make choices for their families and kids, and acknowledges the increase in religious exemptions is not unique to Florida.
