Falling vaccination rates cause children who are more vulnerable to vaccine preventable disease to have less immunity. Doctor Joshua Meyerson is the medical director for three health departments in northwest Michigan. He said children who are too young to be immunized against particular diseases rely on herd immunity.
Community immunization levels below even 90% leaves high risk individuals vulnerable to severe illness from vaccine preventable diseases
Dr. Meyerson says his departments are seeing success raising vaccine rates through school based health centers. The centers encourage keeping up to date with vaccinations by increasing access and education for both parents and students. Dr. Meyerson encouraged a refocus on educating their communities and encouraging people to see their providers to combat the declining rate.
You can check your county's immunization report card at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_4911_4914_68361-321114--,00.html