Michigan’s vaccination rate is 45 percent among state residents a county public health adviser points out. According to The Windsor Star citing Michigan Live, potential exposure to preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella and pertussis is on the rise due to increasing amounts of parents obtaining immunization waivers for their children to attend state schools. The national waiver is around two percent but Michigan’s waver rate is as high as six percent or more.

Fortunately, Michigan has a new policy going into effect in January that will make immunization exemptions harder. The new rule will be that opt-out forms will require certification by a local health department. Upon reviewing the Michigan Department of Health’s website, I have not been able to find out what is involved with the changes. Hopefully, it will include getting information given to the parent of some kind about the drawbacks of not vaccinating their children.

While the change might make a difference, it may not be enough to prevent unvaccinated children from attending Michigan schools. If a parent is persistent enough its possible they maybe able to get their kids waivers. The anti-vaccine movement is largely responsible for Michigan’s disease outbreaks. What’s worse is that they disseminate false information that contribute not only to the resurgence of diseases once nearly eradicated, like polio, but their advice also contributes to the deaths of kids whose parents put their trust in the knowledge anti-vaccine groups make available.