A case of the measles in Miami has health officials on high alert, reminding parents of the importance of keeping their children vaccinated.
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Health Department officials say the 8-year-old girl who's been diagnosed with measles wasn't vaccinated.
"That was a personal choice of the parents," said Doctor Alvaro Mejia, spokesman for the Florida Department of Health in Miami. "There was no vaccine. That causes a big alert when that happens. We don't expect children to be non-vaccinated at this time."
Palm Beach County's Health Department officials say some parents won't get their kids vaccinated because they've heard vaccinations can have adverse health effects or aren't needed in this day and age.
"People think because they don't see the diseases they don't exist...why are we bothering to have to immunize?" said Palm Beach County Health Department nurse Deborah Hogan. "Well, they don't exist because of the vaccines that we give our kids."
Hogan stresses that vaccinations have been scientifically proven to be safe. She says children who don't receive the shots could be at risk for more than a dozen dangerous, and even life threatening illnesses.
In Florida, children are required to be up-to-date on all of their vaccinations to attend public or private schools.
There is an allowance for religious exemption in Florida, however. Parents can refuse to have their children vaccinated and cite religious reasons with no questions asked. In Palm Beach County, Health Department officials say about two-percent of children fall under the religious exemption.
Hogan said the majority of students being vaccinated helps keep disease rates down, even in children who aren't vaccinated.
"The more people that do follow the guidelines and protect their kids, you protect those that are not protected completely," Hogan said.
