7/17/14 - The rate of vaccination waivers in Livingston County schools is about double the state average, and that has local health officials concerned. School districts require students be vaccinated against certain diseases to prevent contagious children from spreading infection, although parents can choose to get waivers for that requirement. Currently, Livingston County has a waiver rate of about 11%, compared to the state average of 5.5%. While some parents seek these waivers for religious reasons, others refuse to get their children inoculated because they believe there are significant health risks associated with vaccines, usually an increased risk of autism. Health Educator Chelsea Moxlow with the Livingston County Department of Public Health says there is a lot of misinformation about vaccines out there, and that it is perpetuated by laypeople with no medical training. She says a huge metadata analysis was recently released, showing there is no link between vaccinations and autism. The DPH offers every childhood vaccine, and many for adults, at its immunization clinic every Wednesday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, with extended hours on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. For more information, follow the link below. (TD)
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