LANSING, Mich. — New numbers show Mid-Michigan parents are getting their kids vaccinated just as much as other parents in the rest of the state.
The numbers are still way below where experts say we need to be.
The latest Kids Count report shows the percentage of toddlers up-to-date on most of their vaccines ranges from a low of 71.7% in HIllsdale County to a high of 78.9% in Clinton County.
The state average is a little less than 75%.
Doctors want to see that closer to 90 or 95%.
"It's really frustrating. Anybody can put anything they want on the Internet without doing the research, without thinking carefully about whether it's true or not," said Kyle Enger, parent.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, more than 70% of vaccine waivers are because of philosophical reasons.
The other 30% are medical or religious.
"Part of the reason people are so hesitant to vaccines or choose not to vaccinate is because they don't understand the reality of the seriousness of some of the diseases that have been sort of long-eradicated," said Amy Zaagman, Executive Director of the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health.
"Trust your pediatricians. Trust your doctors. Trust your school administrators who are encouraging you to vaccinate your kids," said Enger.
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