EVERETT, Wash -- Washington is experiencing an epidemic of worry over vaccine safety.
The state leads the nation in the percentage of parents opting out of vaccinations for their kindergarten-age children. More than 6 percent of kindergarteners were missing one or more immunizations in the 2009-2010 school year.
The Daily Herald reports the most commonly skipped vaccine is the chicken pox vaccine.
Since 1997, there's been a steady, statewide decline in the number of school children who are fully vaccinated.
A new state law that went into effect in July seeks to close a loophole that parents used to avoid providing proof of vaccinations to schools. Now, parents must meet with a medical provider, get a signed letter confirming that the consultation took place, and provide the note to child-care centers or schools.
