A Measles Epidemic? This Map Shows How Falling Vaccination Rates Are A Huge Problem

Despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine, measles is seeing a resurgence in the U.S.

There were 644 confirmed cases of the virus last year, a dramatic rise from the low rates the country has seen since it was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. And with at least 121 confirmed cases already this year from an outbreak that started at Disneyland last December, 2015 is on track to easily surpass 2014.

Part of the problem is decreasing herd immunity, the concept that when an overwhelming majority of a population is vaccinated, it provides immunity to the unvaccinated minority. As growing pockets of parents rely on herd immunity to avoid vaccinating their children–they believe the now debunked studies that vaccinations are linked with autism or cite religious and even philosophical reasons for opposition–they increase the vulnerability of the entire herd.

The herd immunity threshold for measles is already high, about 95 percent. This means that 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to stop a potential outbreak. However, this figure assumes an even distribution of the vaccinated and unvaccinated population. It doesn't take into account that fact that people who don't vaccinate their kids tend to live near each other, thus increasing the chances of sustained transmission.

So just how low are vaccination rates among young children?

According to research by HealthGrove with data from the CDC, children 12 to 19 months old (which is typically when the first round of vaccinations are administered) fall below the 95 percent threshold in all but 7 states. Scroll over the map below to see how your state stacks up.

Even in West Virginia, one of only two states that allow no vaccination exemptions beyond medical reasons, 14 percent of children between age one and two are not vaccinated. Fortunately, 96 percent of children in the state have been vaccinated by the time they reach kindergarten.

The second state that allows no vaccination exemptions beyond medical reasons is Mississippi, where the percentage of vaccinated one- to two-year olds is a much higher 95.2 percent. The remaining 48 states, however, allow for religious exemptions, personal belief exemptions, or both, which keeps vaccination rates among young children low. In fact, according to a recent analysis by USA Today, "nearly one in seven public and private schools have measles vaccination rates below 90 percent."

Despite low vaccination rates and recent outbreaks, there's a silver lining. Enough people are vaccinated or immune to measles that the nation is unlikely to see a sustained transmission.

As for the parents who don't believe in vaccinations? Perhaps enough of them will change their minds, bumping the nation back into the comforts of herd immunity.

The post One Map Shows How Dropping Vaccination Rates Are Becoming a Big Problem appeared first on FindTheBest: The Official Blog.