children s health issues
Childhood Vaccination Concerns
Effects of Vaccine Refusal on Public Health
Delaying or refusing vaccines affects public health. When fewer people are vaccinated, the percentage of a population that is immune to disease decreases. Then, the disease becomes more common, particularly among people who are at increased risk of getting a disease. People may be at increased risk because They were vaccinated but did not become immune. They were vaccinated, but their immunity has decreased over time, as may occur as people age. Their immune system is impaired by a disorder or a medication (such as the medications used to treat cancer or prevent rejection of a transplant), and they cannot be given live-virus vaccines, such as the MMR or varicella vaccine. 