TOUGH IMMUNIZATION RULES PROTECT ALL OF US

Missouri has toughened its stance on school-age immunizations. Some parents who ignored the warnings were surprised to discover the 15-day grace period for immunizations was eliminated. Without up-to-date immunizations, children were barred from classes.

It is reassuring to learn most area schools found a high level of compliance as classes started this week.

This new state law will protect children from contracting preventable diseases. It should also save dollars in terms of medical treatment and lost work time as parents stay home with sick kids.

More importantly, it may also save lives.

Many parents have forgotten the deadly nature of these diseases. For example, measles was a leading cause of death for children in many communities at the turn of the century. And without universal immunization, it could be again. In May, an outbreak in the St. Louis area spread from a private school that shunned immunizations for religious reasons to three public schools.

Under the new law, parents can still opt against immunization for medical or religious reasons, but these children will be excluded from school if an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs.

Changes in the law require that all students -- kindergarten through 12th grade -- must be vaccinated against tetanus before entering school, and students 6 or younger are required to be immunized against whooping cough and mumps.

The issue is one of parental responsibility. Just as parents should protect their children from physical danger so they should ensure that their children are immunized.

County health departments provide immunizations free of charge during scheduled clinics. Taxpayers pick up the tab -- well realizing the importance of keeping Missouri's children safe and healthy.

It can be hope that a controversy affecting the national distribution of vaccines won't touch Missouri's stalwart program.

Most states deliver their own vaccines. But 25 states, including Missouri, have asked the Centers for Disease Control to help. The agency had planned a $14 million federal warehouse, but critics felt more dollars should be spent on getting the vaccines to children -- not storing it.

The program that starts Oct. 1 allows private doctors to give free shots. While this provides a greater measure of convenience to parents, we have to wonder about the increased costs. Why not just allow greater access at county health departments, where the programs are already working well? Why does government continually have to recreate the wheel?

Missouri's leadership in strengthening immunization guidelines is admirable. Federal changes should allow the state to proceed with childhood immunizations without too much intervention.