Parents Calling For Schools To Keep Children Not Vaccinated For Measles Out Of Classroom
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The CDC confirms to health officials a 12-month-old baby does not have measles. Meanwhile, across the nation, nearly 100 cases are linked to Disneyland in California.
Mary Bubala has more on new demands from parents.
The spread of the contagious disease has some parents calling for schools to keep unvaccinated children out of the classroom.
As the measles spreads, some parents want schools to ban unvaccinated children, except those with medical exemptions.
"We rely on the people who can be immunized to be immunized to protect the rest of the population," said Carl Krawitts, parent.
The Krawitts worry about their son Rhett, who can't get the vaccine. The six-year-old is in remission after fighting leukemia and his immune system is too weak to handle the vaccine.
The measles outbreak that started at Disneyland in California has grown to 95 cases in eight states.
In Arizona, state health officials are keeping an eye on as many as 1,000 people, including nearly 200 children, who may have been exposed after a woman with measles visited an urgent care center.
Dr. Tim Jacks' daughter Maggie is among those being monitored. She's battling leukemia and also can't be vaccinated.
"The father side of me that is just angry and wanting to protect my family," Jacks said.
Experts say the outbreak is cause for concern, considering measles is so highly contagious.
"It's outbreaks like this that really remind us of the importance of these diseases and really the benefit of vaccine," said Dr. Deborah Lehman, Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
The U.S. experienced a record 644 measles infections last year.