MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - August is National Immunization Awareness Month. As kids get ready to go back to school, parents are encouraged to get a head start by talking with a pediatrician about recommended vaccines.

"In order to enter school in the fall, children must be up to date on their vaccines, and that's for Kindergarten, childcare centers, 7th grade, or if you're switching school districts," said Jennifer Smith, Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services (MDHHS) Public Information Officer.

The MDHHS announced a recent increase in measles cases nationwide, and they say the only way to reverse this trend is to build and maintain high vaccination rates in our communities.

"We know that these diseases can enter our communities and they can spread. Measles is extremely contagious, and while not everyone will have severe symptoms, we do see measles deaths in this country to this day," said Smith.

While there are still cases of vaccine-preventable diseases popping up in Michigan, some parents are still hesitant about getting their kids vaccinated. But pediatricians like Dr. Jim Brouillette would argue otherwise.
 
"There's been a lot of publicity on the internet about the connection between Autism and the measles bumps rubella vaccine, and that originally started with an article in a very prominent medical journal called 'The Lancet.' In the last 10 years, that information has been discredited and the authors actually retracted that article," said Dr. Brouillette.

"The research shows that vaccines are safe and effective," said Smith. "With anything there is a risk, but the risks in vaccinations are so small compared to the benefits."

A new administrative rule went into effect at the beginning of the year that requires parents to talk with a health educator at their local health department before opting their children out of vaccinations. Parents who choose not to vaccinate must make an appointment with their local health department to receive a non-medical waiver, which is no longer available at schools or childcare.