Why are immunizations important?  They are valuable because they keep our student, staff and the public healthy. Vaccines prevent the morbidity that could occur as a result of disease and they also prevent the spread of disease to those who are most vulnerable such as infants, the elderly and those whose immune system are suppressed.

It is also important to understand the concept of "herd" immunity.  As more of the "herd" is protected, fewer are at risk of getting the disease and spreading it to others. The cost to treat the disease is considerably far more than the cost of the vaccines.  We also need to keep in mind that just because we in the United States are protected, our global neighbors are not and diseases can easily reemerge.  Diseases may be brought into the US by American's traveling abroad or from people visiting areas with current outbreaks. It is important to remember that the anti-vaccine media, among other things, downplays or ignores the danger of vaccine-preventable diseases and the prevalence of these diseases abroad.