HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — New data from the CDC shows the number of unvaccinated kindergarteners is increasing.
Louis Ostrosky, director of infectious diseases at UT Health Houston, said this could affect the success of the vaccine.
“We suffer from our own success in the vaccine world because vaccines have been so successful. They have prevented so many diseases that people don’t see them anymore. . We don’t see children with measles, smallpox or polio. We don’t see them anymore,” Ostrosky said.
But Ostrosky said this trend needs to be reversed because contracting mumps, measles and polio can be life-altering.
“Meningitis, swelling of the brain, lung problems, all of which can lead to death,” Ostrosky said.
Ostrosky said the results could be catastrophic because vaccination numbers are trending in the wrong direction.
In the 2022-23 school year, 3% of kindergarteners nationwide did not receive one or more vaccines.
This number increased to 3.3% in the 2023-24 school year. But in Texas, it’s higher, at nearly 4%.
ABC13 spoke with parents who support back-to-school vaccinations.
“When you have young children, a lot of the things they pick up and bring home are from school, the park, the gym. So I think collectively we all need to do our part.” ” said the child’s mother, Natasha Wims. the two said.
Dr. Ostrosky said some medically vulnerable people may not be able to receive the vaccine and are relying on protection from those around them who can receive the vaccine.
“We’re also doing a social disservice to these people,” Ostrosky said.
The CDC found that 93% of kindergarteners nationwide have received the measles vaccine, but doctors say that alone is not enough to achieve the required 95% herd immunity.
Dr. Ostrosky says if you have young children, talk to your health care provider about the best vaccine information.
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