Idaho Kids Could Use Shot In The Arm Low Immunization Rates Put Children At Risk, Officials Say

Health officials and volunteers say Idaho children are at risk of an epidemic of preventable diseases because immunization rates are too low.

Christine Packer, local Volunteers in Service to America member, said nearly 40 percent of children under the age of 2 are not being given their shots on time or at all. Only 62 percent of infants are fully immunized.

The target level is 90 percent. “That is the bare minimum required to prevent an outbreak,” Packer said. “Some districts in Idaho fall below 50 percent.”

Outbreaks of whooping cough have been reported in Sandpoint and in western Idaho. Health officials say it’s likely because of low immunization rates.

In eastern Idaho’s District 7, the average immunization rate is 63 percent, with Madison County the lowest in the district at 43 percent protection among children under 2. Jefferson County tops the district with 69 percent.

In District 6, Bingham County is the lowest at 42 percent.

Packer said part of the problem is a lack of community awareness. “Many parents just don’t realize what immunizations their kids need and when.”

Another factor may be the shortage of primary care physicians in rural areas. “Those who live in communities without doctors don’t see one often enough to be educated and reminded about immunizations,” she said.

Idaho still does better than the national average of about 50 percent, because the state has no densely populated and impoverished urban areas.

Volunteers in Service to America, VISTA, members for the last year have been working to improve immunization levels, one of three pilot projects in the country.

“Unlike the health departments that are so busy getting the actual immunizations done, our program works on educating parents so that more and more children get their shots,” Packer said.