Children's Health

Are Kindergarten Kids Getting Their Vaccines?

Measles Still Threatens Children's Health

While the current level of vaccine coverage is likely to prevent any major outbreaks of measles, Deville says, measles -- and other diseases for which vaccines are available -- should be on parents' radar.

"We've been seeing only about 50 cases a year for the past several years, but that number has begun to creep up," he says.

In 2011, 222 cases of measles were reported to the CDC, the highest number in 15 years. Most of those cases, the report says, were brought here from outside the U.S.

"Measles," Deville says, "is one of the most contagious diseases, with significant complications and mortality. We don't want to deal with it again."

Deville points to recent whooping cough outbreaks as examples of why parents need to make sure their kids are properly vaccinated. It's easy to think there is little to worry about when such diseases are rarely seen these days, he says. That's a mistake.

"Just because we don't see them doesn't mean they no longer exist," Deville says. "These diseases are not gone."