Vaccine-preventable Diseases in Colorado's Children, 2014

In this analysis, we explore in detail 2013 rates of whooping cough (pertussis) in school-age children in order to inform stakeholders responsible for implementation of the recently passed mandate for schools and day care to assess and publish vaccination rates. Our analysis confirm that low rates of pertussis vaccination in school-age children were associated with almost 900 cases of whooping cough in this population in 2013, with the highest number of cases in children aged 10-14. These data highlight the risk of a vaccine exemption policy that makes it easy for parents, often based on misleading information, to opt out of vaccines for their children. Our results support the need for continued strengthening of vaccine delivery systems, improving access to primary pediatric care, and increasing efforts to provide accurate information regarding the safety and benefits of childhood vaccination to parents who wish to protect their children from vaccine-preventable diseases.