Some MA Schools Failing To Make Sure Students Are Properly Vaccinated

BOSTON — Recent cases of whooping cough and measles in the Bay State have many wondering what is bringing these diseases back. WBZ-TV’s I-Team found out some schools are not complying with the law when it comes to making sure students are protected from potentially deadly illnesses.

“I need vaccines to attend school,” said 18-year-old Karen Sosa in her native Portuguese. She was one of hundreds of unvaccinated Massachusetts students who fall through the cracks. “It’s very difficult, very expensive to pay for vaccines.”

Another student, Grace Ansong, said the school nurse told her she’d have to stay home if she doesn’t get the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles. It’s more important than ever for her to attend school, she said, “Because I’m graduating this year.”

“Measles is a deadly virus and it’s super contagious,” said Dr. Ari Cohen. According to the CDC, if one infected person is close to ten people who are not immunized, nine of those ten would get it.

Read more at CBS Boston