Colorado: Easy State To Opt Out Of Vaccinations

DENVER (CBS4)- As the Measles outbreak continues to grow in the U.S. with cases in 14 states, including Colorado, there is a lot of attention focused on vaccinations. Some believe it's too easy to opt out of immunizations in the state.

Doctors believe those who can't get vaccinated should be protected by a community that does.

"The vaccine works by having a critical number of the population getting that vaccine, and then that disease is not prevalent in the community," said Dr. Kristi Samaddar of the Children's Hospital.

CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said misinformation about vaccines is allowing curable diseases like Measles to spread.

"You do feel for these kids who are at risk for the disease from the non-immunized and it makes me believe more and more that kids who opt out should not be allowed in public schools," said Hnida.

Every state has mandatory Measles vaccines but it's easy to get around that in Colorado where families can opt out for medical reasons or personal and religious beliefs.

A 2013 study from the Centers for Disease Control showed four percent of kindergartners in Colorado didn't get the Measles vaccine and 20 percent were out of date. Doctors say the public needs to trust vaccines again.