Health

Mississippi, West Virginia Toughest on School Immunizations

Published

10 years ago

February 11, 2015

Pediatric residents from the Batson Children’s Hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center wear stickers calling for the lawmakers to support immunizations during a visit to the Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, in Jackson, Miss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi has the highest measles immunization rate in the country for children entering kindergarten. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JOHN RABY, Associated Press
EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS, Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — With rampant diabetes and obesity, Mississippi and West Virginia have struggled with health crises. Yet when it comes to getting children vaccinated, these states don’t mess around.

The states, among the poorest in the country, are the only ones that refuse to exempt school children from mandatory vaccinations based on their parents’ personal or religious beliefs. Separate efforts to significantly loosen those rules died in both states’ legislatures last week.

Mississippi has the highest immunization rate in the country for children entering kindergarten at 99.7 percent, while West Virginia is at roughly 96 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures cover vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; and varicella, or chickenpox.

Public health officials say a 90 percent immunization rate is critical to minimizing the potential for a disease outbreak.

“Mississippi is not traditionally viewed as a leader on health issues. But in this area, they should be proud of the fact that they have not changed this law. Mississippi and West Virginia could be role models for other states,” said Dr. Mark Schleiss, a pediatrician and vaccine researcher at the University of Minnesota.

A recent measles outbreak that has sickened more than 100 people has brought attention to policies in 48 states that allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their children because of their religious beliefs or personal beliefs, or both.

But in West Virginia and Mississippi the rules are firm: Barring a significant medical reason, kids who haven’t been vaccinated can’t attend school — public or private.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, West Virginia’s state health officer, said the limit on exemptions is the reason his state has been spared from any measles outbreaks for decades. And the policy has been relatively uncontroversial.

“The overwhelming majority of the public … support having more of their children protected through vaccinations than less,” he said.

Some parents in West Virginia are perplexed that people wouldn’t vaccinate their kids.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” said Paula Beasley, whose daughter attends fifth grade in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. “Everyone needs to. It’s all for the greater good.”

Mississippi lawmakers are considering a proposal to let doctors grant medical exemptions that would allow children to skip or delay a vaccination. Currently, only the state Department of Health can grant an exemption. Though all 135 requested exemptions were granted for this school year, a group called Mississippi Parents for Vaccine Rights said the department has ignored its concerns that the state requires too many immunizations too early in life. The activists’ demand for a philosophical exemption was stripped from the bill last week.

Tracey Liles of Grenada, Mississippi, who has a 13-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, is among those pushing for the change because she thinks the health department has been too stingy in granting medical exemptions. Liles said her daughter is fully vaccinated but ran a high fever and slept for two days after a round of vaccinations about 10 years ago. Her daughter, who is now in eighth grade, had to get a state-mandated booster shot for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis before entering seventh grade.

“Obviously, I wasn’t going to pull her out of school, being a cheerleader and everything. So, we did it,” Liles said. “Basically, I feel like I was forced to do it, but I didn’t have a choice.”

Dr. Mary Currier, the state health officer in Mississippi, has urged legislators not to weaken the immunization requirements, particularly with measles spreading in other states.

Mississippi enacted a strong vaccination law in the 1970s. In 1979, the Mississippi Supreme Court blocked a father’s request not to vaccinate his son because of religious beliefs.

The protection of students “against the horrors of crippling and death resulting from poliomyelitis or smallpox or from one of the other diseases against which means of immunization are known and have long been practiced successfully, demand that children who have not been immunized should be excluded from the school community until immunization has been accomplished,” the court wrote.

Republican Dean Kirby, chairman of the Mississippi Senate Public Health Committee, said that when proposals to create a philosophical exemption arose in recent years, he received calls mostly from one side — those wanting the change. With the measles outbreak this year, Kirby said he’s hearing from parents who want to keep the law as it is.

“They don’t want their children going to school with people who have not had the shots,” Kirby said.

West Virginia’s school vaccination law has its roots in the 1880s and has been repeatedly changed. But the trend toward expanding exemptions never gained traction.

Last week, a proposed religious exemption was removed from consideration without debate in the legislature.

Dr. Ron Stollings, a state senator, said lawmakers may tweak which state officials can grant medical exemptions, but public safety demands exemptions be kept to a minimum.

“Without this mandate, we’d be in the 60 to 70 percent vaccinate rate and not 90 percent,” he said.

___

Emily Wagster Pettus reported from Jackson, Mississippi. Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise contributed from Charleston.

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Related Topics:chickenpox diphtheria immunizations measles MIssissippi mumps pertussis rubella tetanus West Virginia

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Activism

Let’s Talk Health: Empowering Our Community with Health Literacy

At Covered California, we recognize that understanding health insurance is more than just choosing a plan –it’s about having the knowledge to make informed decisions that lead to healthier lives. That’s why this year’s open enrollment campaign, “Let’s Talk Health,” focuses on breaking down barriers and simplifying the complex language of health care.

Published

17 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Oakland Post

Dr. Monica Soni. Courtesy of Covered California.

By Dr. Monica Soni

Navigating health insurance can often feel overwhelming, especially for individuals and families who are new to the system or unsure about their options.

Health literacy is critical for achieving better outcomes, reducing disparities, and ensuring every African American and Black Californian — regardless of their income, ethnicity, or background — has access to quality care. By making health insurance simpler to understand, we empower individuals to access preventive services, manage chronic conditions, and avoid costly medical bills.

Breaking Barriers in African American and Black Communities
This year, “Let’s Talk Health” places a special focus on supporting African American and Black communities, where systemic inequities in health outcomes persist. These communities often face higher rates of chronic conditions and challenges in navigating the health care system. To address these disparities, Covered California partnered with trusted organizations to provide information, tips and resources.

In San Francisco, Andre Atkins, Director of Programs at Rafiki Coalition, led a dialogue with Dr. Kim Rhoads, Community Engagement Director at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Destiny Williams, Health and Wellness Program Manager at Rafiki Coalition; and myself.

These conversations play a vital role in the pursuit of health equity by sharing power and creating spaces where our community can learn, share experiences, ask questions and connect with advocates who work daily to understand their unique needs. Through these efforts, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering equity and inclusion in health care, ensuring that every voice is heard and supported.

Why Health Literacy Matters
Health literacy goes beyond understanding health care terms. It’s about empowerment. It equips individuals to make informed decisions, from choosing the right health plan to finding a provider to deliver preventive care and seeking mental health services. At Covered California, we provide tools and resources, such as side-by-side plan comparisons and financial assistance details, to ensure everyone can navigate their options confidently and access the care they need.

Taking the First Step
Whether you’re a student, part-time worker, family of four, open enrollment is your opportunity to prioritize your health and your future. This year’s open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way.

Consumers must select a health plan by the Dec. 31 to receive coverage for the entire year, starting Jan. 1, 2025.

To find the plan that’s right for you, and take the first step toward a healthier tomorrow, visit CoveredCA.com and fill out the application yourself or put in your ZIP code and connect with a certified agent in your neighborhood who can guide you through your options. Together, we can break down barriers and ensure that all Californians have the tools to thrive.

Dr. Monica Soni, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer for Covered California, where she leads efforts in health equity, quality transformation, and clinical innovation. As a practicing board-certified internal medicine physician and health care leader with over a decade of experience, Dr. Soni is committed to improving affordability, access, and outcomes for all Californians.

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Oakland Awarded $675,000 Grant to Reduce Lead Hazards

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2024

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iStock.

By Post Staff

The City of Oakland has won a $675,800 grant from Partnership for the Bay’s Future (PBF) that will fund a two-year fellow to work in the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department to support the development of lead hazard abatement and proactive rental inspection initiatives.

The award will assist in Oakland’s work to reduce lead hazards in older rental housing, especially in communities most impacted by housing instability. The City hired a consultant, Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, in 2024 to lead the technical aspect of the lead abatement work. By exploring the integration of lead hazard abatement with proactive rental inspections, the fellow’s work will aim to improve living conditions for families at risk of exposure and create safer homes for Oakland’s residents.

“We are grateful for the support of Partnership for the Bay’s Future for this award,” said Emily Weinstein, HCD director. “Housing safety and habitability are top priorities for our work in the coming year, and this fellow will ensure specific attention is paid to creating equitable solutions.”

The fellow will be dedicated full-time for the next two years to facilitate collaboration between HCD, Planning and Building Department (PBD), and a coalition of community partners. The total benefit to the City of Oakland is at least $675,800, of which $220,000 goes to a collaborative of community organizations to support the work.

The Healthy Havenscourt Collaborative brings essential community expertise to the project, connecting Oakland residents with resources and ensuring the program aligns with their needs.

These partners will engage residents directly to shape the program and make sure their voices are central to its design and implementation.

Coalition partners include Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP), La Clinica de la Raza, EBALDC, and Black Cultural Zone – all of which form the Healthy Havenscourt collaborative.

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Activism

Life After Domestic Violence: What My Work With Black Women Survivors Has Taught Me

Survivors sometimes lack awareness about the dynamics of healthy relationships, particularly when one has not been modeled for them at home. Media often minimizes domestic abuse, pushing the imagery of loyalty and love for one’s partner above everything — even harm.

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2024

Oakland Post

Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D.

By Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D., California Black Media Partners

It was the Monday morning after her husband had a “situation” involving their child, resulting in food flying in the kitchen and a broken plate.

Before that incident, tensions had been escalating, and after years of unhappiness, she finally garnered enough courage to go to the courthouse to file for a divorce.

She was sent to an on-site workshop, and the process seemed to be going well until the facilitator asked, “Have you experienced domestic abuse?” She quickly replied, “No, my husband has never hit me.”

The facilitator continued the questionnaire and asked, “Has your husband been emotionally abusive, sexually abusive, financially abusive, technologically abusive, or spiritually abusive?”

She thought about how he would thwart her plans to spend time with family and friends, the arguments, and the many years she held her tongue. She reflected on her lack of access to “their money,” him snooping in her purse, checking her social media, computer, and emails, and the angry blowups where physical threats were made against both her and their children.

At that moment, she realized she had been in a long-suffering domestic abuse relationship.

After reading this, you might not consider the relationship described above as abusive — or you might read her account and wonder, “How didn’t she know that she was in an abusive relationship?”

After working with survivors at Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence in San Francisco, California, I have learned a great deal from a variety of survivors. Here are some insights:

Abuse thrives in isolation.
Societal tolerance of abusive behavior is prevalent in the media, workplaces, and even churches, although there are societal rules about the dos and don’ts in relationships.

Survivors are groomed into isolation.
Survivors are emotionally abused and manipulated almost from the beginning of their relationships through love-bombing. They are encouraged or coerced into their own little “love nest,” isolating them from family and friends.

People who harm can be charismatic and fun.
Those outside the relationship often struggle to believe the abuser would harm their partner until they witness or experience the abusive behavior firsthand.

Survivors fear judgment.
Survivors fear being judged by family, friends, peers, and coworkers and are afraid to speak out.

Survivors often still love their partners.
This is not Stockholm Syndrome; it’s love. Survivors remember the good times and don’t want to see their partner jailed; they simply want the abuse to stop.

The financial toll of abuse is devastating.
According to the Allstate Foundation’s study, 74% of survivors cite lack of money as the main reason for staying in abusive relationships. Financial abuse often prevents survivors from renting a place to stay. Compounding this issue is the lack of availability of domestic abuse shelters.

The main thing I have learned from this work is that survivors are resilient and the true experts of their own stories and their paths to healing. So, when you encounter a survivor, please take a moment to acknowledge their journey to healing and applaud their strength and progress.

About the Author

Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D., is executive director of Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence in San Francisco.