Public health danger

The following editorial appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Ending parents’ ability to cite personal beliefs to get vaccine exemptions for their children was a crucial step toward reinforcing the “herd immunity” that minimizes the spread of infectious diseases.

In 2015 — responding to the irrational wave of anti-vaccination sentiment among parents — the California Legislature passed a bill mandating that every California public school student be vaccinated against 10 diseases: diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae Type B, measles, mumps, whooping cough, polio, rubella, tetanus and chickenpox. Ending parents’ ability to cite personal beliefs to get vaccine exemptions for their children was a crucial step toward reinforcing the “herd immunity” that minimizes the spread of infectious diseases.

Unfortunately, anti-vaccination sentiment still exists. A study published Nov. 5 in the Pediatrics journal reported that the number of California students whose parents obtained medical exemption notices had more than tripled since the bill became law; about one in 140 students aren’t vaccinated as a result.

Why is this happening?

Health officials say some doctors are too willing to sign exemptions to placate parents and others essentially sell exemptions by charging fees or requiring services before they sign. Nurse-practitioners are also signing exemptions, beyond the scope of their authority.

This is unacceptable. It’s fine to wait for a third year of schools data before tightening up the vaccine law and potentially standardizing review of medical exemptions. But authorities should crack down on medical shadiness now. Public health is at stake.