Vaccines for kids: 8 states where parents say no

vaccine, hpv, teen, girl, shot, stock, 4x3 — istockphoto

Think kids are the only ones who want to avoid school shots? Think again. A new report from the Associated Press found more than 1 in 20 public school kindergartners aren't getting all their required vaccines - because their parents opt out of them. What's causing parents to pause? Everything from fear that vaccines carry health risks to simply taking the easy way out by avoiding the effort and paperwork vaccines require. Keep clicking to see the eight states that the report singled out for having exceptionally high exemption rates...

8. Illinois

Illinois kicks off the list of eight states with the highest vaccine exemption rates. The AP did not provide the rate for Illinois, but said it's one of 10 that also had rising rates over the past five years.

7. Michigan

Michigan is number 7 on the list of 8 states with highest vaccine exemption rates. The AP did not provide the percentage of parents seeking vaccine exemption for their kids.

6. Oregon

oregon, state, 4x3, mountain, generic, mount hood — istockphoto

Michigan is number 6 on the list. The AP did not provide the percentage of parents seeking vaccine exemption for their kids.

5. Vermont (TIE)

vermont, generic, state, 4x3 — iStockphoto

In Vermont, 6 percent of parents opt out of school shots for their kids.

5. Washington (TIE)

In Washington state, 6 percent of parents opt out of school shots for their kids.

3. Minnesota

Minnesota, state, 4x3, generic — istockphoto

In Minnesota, 6.5 percent of parents opt out of school shots for their kids.

2. Colorado

colorado, state, 4x3, generic — istockphoto

In Colorado, 7 percent of parents opt out of school shots for their kids.

1. Alaska

The Last Frontier is first on the list of states with highest vaccine exemption rates. In Alaska, nearly 9 percent of parents opted out of school shots for their kids in 2010-2011.