HOW MANY NEW MEXICO STUDENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM VACCINATIONS?? THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS OUT WITH A NEW REPORT SHOWING, IN MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE FIGURE IS LESS THAN ONE PERCENT. BUT DR. JOAN BAUMBACH WITH THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE EXEMPTION NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.
SHE SAYS EVEN THOUGH VACCINATIONS RATES ACROSS THE U-S ARE RELATIVELY HIGH, THE CONCERN IS FOR HOW THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CHILDREN BEING EXEMPT WILL IMPACT PUBLIC HEALTH. SHE SAYS THERE ARE POCKETS OF HIGHER RATES IN PLACES LIKE SANTA FE, TAOS AND LOS ALAMOS COUNTIES.
EXEMPTIONS CAN BE GRANTED FOR RELIGIOUS OR MEDICAL REASONS. THE STATE HAS MADE A PUSH FOR VACCINATIONS FOLLOWING A RECENT MEASLES OUTBREAK THAT STARTED IN CALIFORNIA.
