Vaccine regulations should be reformed

Anti-vaccine sentiments are not new. Most people have heard the objections of vaccine doubters who fear that inoculating their children can cause myriad health problems, including autism.

Science has disproven these concerns just as science has shown that immunizations are not only safe, but necessary.

But for years, public health authorities have sought to persuade and inform these parents rather than mandate that they immunize their children. The time for that should be over.

Washington and Ohio are two of just 18 states that allow parents to opt-out of immunization for personal reasons.

Health authorities have warned that disease outbreaks are on the rise in 12 of those states . ...

States routinely allow parents to opt out of vaccines on religious grounds.

Laws also allow exemptions for children whose fragile health does not permit them to be vaccinated.

It is for those children — as well as the elderly and others with compromised health — that everyone must be properly vaccinated.

The herd immunity created when large portions of a population get vaccines protects those people who cannot be safely inoculated . ...

Ohio and other states that have allowed such exemptions must reform their vaccine regulations for the good of all.

Read the full editorial from the Toledo Blade at bit. ly/2BntNw5