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Posted: Tue 6:47 AM, Jan 10, 2012
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More Parents Forgo Immunizations For Children

Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 --- 6:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A growing number of parents in Wisconsin are choosing not to have their children immunized.

Less than 1 percent of students did not get shots against measles and other diseases 20 years ago. Last year, nearly 4 percent opted out of the vaccinations.

Bridget and Taka Hirata have a personal conviction waiver from school immunization requirements for their children. The Hiratas worry about the risk of vaccines and believe the body can fight diseases naturally.

Wisconsin requires 15 doses of five vaccines to enter kindergarten, but is among 20 states that grant waivers. Pediatric disease specialist Dr. James Conway tells the State Journal (http://bit.ly/yVnkXH) that not vaccinating children "is like putting your kids out in traffic." He says they might not get hit by a car, but if they do "that's a world of hurt."

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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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  • by brenda on Jan 10, 2012 at 12:12 PM
    This makes me wonder... if I immunize my children and they get sick from a parent that did not bother to immunize their children, we should have the right to sue those parents for being irresponsible! The names of the parents and kids should be availble to all the school and family personelle. Would I want their kids at my home?
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      by Dawn on Jan 14, 2012 at 08:06 AM in reply to brenda
      Brenda, you're sue happy. By you're thinking, if your precious little child gets a cold and goes to school and gives that cold to my child, then I should be able to SUE YOU for being irresponsible. Go back to watching your soap operas mommy. you're not helping.
      [ Report Abuse ]
      • reply
        by Josh on Jan 15, 2012 at 11:06 PM in reply to Dawn
        Actually, Dawn, while I don't agree that a lawsuit is the answer, but your ignorant answer is much more concerning to someone like me in the medical research field. When your child is permanently crippled by a preventable disease like Polio or measles (yes, they do more damage than just spots) YOU are responsible and your child should know that. You are an irresponsible parent and selfish for pushing your ignorant and uneducated viewpoints to pass on treatments that have been proven successful for decades against serious diseases. wow.
        [ Report Abuse ]

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