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Making Progress
Montanans today enjoy an unparalleled quality of life, thanks in-part to successful immunization practices. Immunizations give us the freedom to leave our homes and experience the richness of life without fear of contracting or sharing serious diseases such as measles, diphtheria, or polio.
Montanans overwhelmingly choose to protect their families and communities through immunization, but anxiety, misinformation, and a lack of access remain obstacles to appropriate, timely immunization protection.
Montana Vaccine Exemption Rates vs. National Average
Exemption rates, specifically non-medical exemption rates are rising state-wide posing a serious public health threat to the state.
Source: Montana Immunization Program 2017-2018 School Immunization Assessment Results, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/schoolvaxview/data-reports/exemptions-reports/2011-12.html
Non-medical Exemption Rates by County
Immunization rates have fallen below the threshold needed to protect against serious diseases in many Montana communities.
Montana Vaccine Rates vs. National Average
Montana continues to lag behind other states on many important immunizations.
Increase in Tdep Booster Vaccine
We’re making progress! The percentage of children receiving the Tdep booster vaccine grew 24% over the last 5 years.
Why Immunize?
Immunization is a life-saving decision. Because of advances in medicine, we are protected from diseases which killed or disabled generations of Montanans. Choosing to immunize provides our families with the peace of mind they need, while protecting our friends, neighbors, and colleagues from the spread of infectious and debilitating disease.
To Protect the Most Vulnerable
Every day we encounter individuals who for one reason or another aren’t able to be vaccinated. Children with illnesses such as leukemia, other cancers, heart problems, or serious allergies are too sick to get some vaccines. At the same time, some vaccines can’t be given to babies or the elderly, leaving them defenseless against disease. It’s up to us to protect the most vulnerable members in our communities by choosing immunization.
To Safeguard Our Communities
If enough people in a small area choose not to vaccinate it leaves an opening for diseases to break through and spread. To keep diseases like measles at bay 90-95 percent of people must be vaccinated. Even in a place as large as Montana, small pockets of unvaccinated individuals can pose a risk.
To Send Infectious Diseases Packing
Diseases once rare in the U.S are experiencing a resurgence due to vaccine hesitancy and falling immunization rates. So far, over 1,100 cases of measles have been reported in 2019, the highest of any year since 2000 when measles was believed to have been wiped out. By vaccinating against preventable illnesses, we can do our part to ensure measles and other infectious diseases join the likes of Polio and Small Pox as distant memories of the past.