Mississippi, California's
got nothing on you.
Mississippi has the highest vaccination rate for school-age children. It’s not even close. Last year, 99.7 percent of the state’s kindergartners were fully vaccinated. Just 140 students in Mississippi entered school without all of their required shots.
Compare that with California, epicenter of the ongoing Disney measles outbreak, where last year almost 8 percent of kindergartners — totaling 41,000 children — failed to get the required immunizations against mumps, measles and rubella.
Who would've thought? Although Mississippi may
rank last in overall health, vaccines are one area where it excels beyond many "healthier" states.
Their policy on vaccinations is strict.
Immunization against childhood diseases are required by Mississippi Law in order to enter school, Head Start, or day care. Specific vaccinations are also recommended for students entering high school or college.
The Mississippi State Department of Health provides all necessary immunizations at low cost. Immunizations are free if you qualify for the Vaccines For Children program.
Currently, West Virginia and Mississippi are the only two states that don't allow children in public schools to forgo vaccinations for religious or "philosophical" reasons. And it makes a difference. Just take a look at the two states here on the map of
vaccine-preventable outbreaks:
We could learn a thing or two from Mississippi.