esqmommy and ladygen - because of families declining to vaccinate their children, polio and measles are quickly on the rise. last year over 150 children died of illness that could have been avoided with vaccination, and no one keeps count of how many get sick but recover. also to be considered: we as a country take in people from all over the world. are they illness-free when the get here? they do get vaccinated before they get in, but was it in time? again, nobody knows and those kids are in school with kids who are not vaccinated. non-vaccinated kids spread it to children too young to be vaccinated, and therefore most vulnerable. they could be, and are, passing preventable illnesses on their younger siblings.
i definitely agree that with measles and polio on the rise after being controlled for so many years, it seems clear to me, at least, that vaccinations are the best way to keep your children safe.