Vaccine exemptions in Texas quadruple in last decade, state data show

[workinclasszero]

STATE-GOVERNMENT By Julie Chang - American-Statesman Staff
Updated: 7:51 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2018 | Posted: 7:36 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2018

The rate of Texas students forgoing vaccinations has soared over the past decade, with more parents questioning the wisdom of vaccinating their children, even as public health experts warn of the dangers of opting out.

Slightly more than 1 percent of Texas public and private school students received conscientious exemptions from state-mandated vaccinations during last school year, a fourfold increase from the 2007-08 school year. The statewide rate has increased every year during that time, according to an American-Statesman analysis of state data.

In Travis County, the exemption rate also has quadrupled over the last decade from 0.66 percent to 2.72 percent. Some Austin private and charter schools posted some of the highest exemption rates in the state.

Since 1972, Texas has allowed medical and religious exemptions from the immunizations required to enroll in school. In 2003, then-Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill into law allowing students to be exempted because of families’ personal beliefs. To obtain a conscientious or religious exemption, a parent must submit a request online or through the mail for an affidavit form to the Department of State Health Services.

Texas is one of 18 states that allow families to opt out of vaccines for personal reasons.

https://www.mystatesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/vaccine-exemptions-texas-quadruple-last-decade-state-data-show/E56LlRSYo4tukMrOc1mH3M/

[PSPS]

1. In all fairness, shouldn't we all be getting medical advice from prostitutes?

[Aristus]

2. I've kicked parents out of my clinic on two separate occasions for requesting non-religious

exemptions from vaccines for their kids.

"Get 'em vaccinated or get out" is the watchword.

[marylandblue]

4. Our pediatrician will not accept patients who don't vaccinate

I think that should be the norm for pediatricians. I don't want my kid infected in the waiting room.

[Aristus]

6. Good for him/her.

No one should be expected to validate anti-vaxxer idiocy...

[MicaelS]

12. Good for you.

We need more health care providers doing this.

[Generic Other]

3. This could be so easily contained

Anyone recall the story of Typhoid Mary? Our government did not just exempt her. They quarantined her ass and sometimes jailed her to make her comply, to absolutely protect the rest of the population from an irresponsible twit. The anti-vaccers fall in that same category. Quarantine them to their homes if they refuse to comply. Live in exile with your phony science until you come to your damn senses.

Sometimes, I think you should be required to take parenting classes if you are going to raise children.

[marylandblue]

5. Don't need a class, just a movie on vaccination

Showing babies with whooping cough and other horrible images that will stick in their brain.

[Generic Other]

14. Like those driver's ed films

Very good strategy.

[MiniMe]

7. Next epidemic is where the next epidemic will be

Stupid people

[workinclasszero]

9. See red states....

[Initech]

8. Great, what deadly diseases can we expect from this?

[Thekaspervote]

10. And because of their stupidity we will all suffer

[smirkymonkey]

11. The poorly educated, anti-science wing of the Trump fan club.

They will end up killing us all.

[MicaelS]

13. Don't blame just Trumpers...

Plenty of anti-vaxxers on the Left as well.