Though the idea that vaccines are linked to autism has been
disproven by multiple studies, an increasing number of parents
are sending their kids off to school without their required
vaccines, citing fears over autism and other health problems.
Now doctors are concerned that growing resistance to vaccination
could lead to a comeback from a variety of retro illnesses
they've already beaten. A study conducted by the Associated
Press found that in eight states more than 1 in 20 public school
kindergarteners aren't getting all their shots, and more than
half of all states have seen a rise in the rate of parents
requesting exemptions for their kids. Parents can opt out if
they have medical, religious, or in some states philosophical
concerns about the vaccines. The practice is still rare, and
most kids have had more than 20 shots by the time they start
school. However, in certain areas as many as 20 to 50 percent of
children aren't getting the shots their states requires. Emory
University epidemiologist Saad Omer