The Show on KJZZ

Listen live weekdays at 9 a.m.

Fewer Arizonans Vaccinate Kindergartners

Published: Friday, May 10, 2019 - 10:51am
Updated: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - 7:55am
Audio icon Download mp3 (989.99 KB)

More Arizonans are choosing not to vaccinate younger children.

Jessica Rigler with the state’s Department of Health Services said more parents of kindergartners are seeking exemptions for vaccines.

"If you look to areas in Yavapai County, like Cottonwood and Sedona, and then places in Maricopa County as well, so areas in Scottsdale, SanTan Valley, Queen Creek, some of those areas are not as well vaccinated as other parts of the state," Rigler said. 

Rigler said so far this year, Arizona has only reported one case of measles in Pima County; however, a visitor to the state developed symptoms of highly contagious virus while in Arizona.

Arizona Department of Health Services maintains a list of vaccine-preventable diseases on its website.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to clarify that the patient did not contract measles in Arizona.