SACRAMENTO – (INT) – As another school year gets underway, parents are reminded to make certain their children are immunized against childhood diseases.

It’s estimated that one in eight children in California have fallen behind on routine vaccines that were missed or delayed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Diseases, such as whooping cough and measles, can easily spread in childcare and school settings. Students and staff with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.

Currently there are measles outbreaks in every region of the world due to disruptions in vaccination campaigns during the pandemic. California's last large measles outbreak was in 2015.

California law requires students to receive certain immunizations in order to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as licensed childcare centers.

Story Date: September 20, 2022