Farmington Above State Average for Immunization Waivers

FARMINGTON, MI – Parents and guardians in the Farmington Public Schools are requesting immunization waivers for their children at a rate higher than the state average, though the waivers are requested less frequently than in the past.

Preliminary estimates from Oakland County Health Division public health nursing services director Shane Bies show waivers were obtained for 3.5 percent of Farmington students, compared with 2.8 percent statewide, The Farmington Observer reports.

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• What Parents Need to Know About Immunization Rules Changes

Though higher than the state average, Farmington’s rate is lower than the average across Oakland County schools, where 3.7 percent of students have waivers this year.

Last year, 4.9 percent of Farmington students received waivers, compared with 4.8 percent statewide.

Before the rule change, Michigan had the sixth-highest immunization waiver rate in the country. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services credits the education requirements of the rule with a 39 percent decrease in the number of waiver requests.

Put another way, immunization waivers accompanied 8,000 fewer Michigan school children this year than last.

“The numbers are down dramatically this year overwhelmingly because of the immunization rule change last year,” Beis said. “It’s been such a tremendous success, a good compromise.”