KRDO Investigates: Colorado is the second worst state for vaccination rates
Colorado is the second worst state in the country when it comes to vaccinations, especially vaccinating for the life-altering disease polio, according to a KRDO investigation.
State data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reports some of the least compliant schools for the polio vaccine are in Colorado Springs.
“It’s terrifying,” said Matt Lupton, a local parent. “It’s just asking for disease.”
The CDC reports more than 40 percent of students enrolled at the Mountain Song Community School don’t have their polio vaccinations.
“It doesn’t concern me in any way,” said Amber, a local parent with children attending the school.
The main argument against not vaccinating usually revolves around the disbelief in scientific studies.
“Science isn’t where it should be globally,” Amber said.
Although, Amber isn’t alone. More than 65,000 people in Colorado didn’t get vaccinated last year.
The CDC shows Widefield District 3 has the worst rate of compliance for polio vaccinations.
Currently, more than 40 percent of students enrolled at Mountain Song Community School aren’t vaccinated for polio. The same is true for students enrolled at the Springs Baptist Academy, where just more than 59 percent of students are vaccinated for polio.
It’s a bit of a paradox.
Studies from the state health department suggest Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the country. But, when it comes to vaccines we’re a long way from where we should be, according to the CDC.
So why is that?
UCHealth Dr. Patrick Carter blames disproven studies suggesting vaccines have ties to Mercury or autism.
“Mercury has not been in children’s immunizations since 2001,” Carter said.
Carter’s message is clear: the more children are vaccinated, the better.
“If 50 percent are vaccinated, and only one of them gets it, it’s going to run like wildfire,” he said.
Under state law, school districts aren’t allowed to refuse enrollment to any student who doesn’t have vaccinations. Colorado law allows for three vaccine exemptions: medical, religious, and personal.
