The Arizona Department of Education has teamed up with the health department to promote vaccinations for students in public schools after several measles outbreaks in other states.
The number of parents who claim a nonmedical exemption to vaccinating their kindergarten children has grown to nearly 6% this year, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Now, the health and education departments have sent a joint letter to schools explaining the importance of up-to-date vaccinations in classrooms.
Stefan Swiat is a spokesman for the education department.
“The Department of Health has spoken publicly about the need for vaccinations and have teamed with the governor's office to make some headway in that arena. So it was a natural fit that when it came to schools, we would partner with them," Swiat said.
The letter states in part, “The science is clear: vaccines are among the most studied medical products in the world and are continuously monitored for safety and effectiveness.”
It was accompanied by a flyer that shows where to get vaccinated.
