We're making a difference!

Yesterday morning on CNN, the commentators were discussing that it was "back to school time." The lead line was something like this: "Millions are returning to school and thousands are doing so with out vaccines because their parents are refusing them."

Of course that was followed with chatter and chiding about the importance of vaccines and public health responsiblity and the "free riders" who depend on others for herd immunity...yada yada...But the headline made me wonder:

• Are parents starting to realize that the risk of the infections--measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox--are far less than the risks of the disease?
• Are parents starting to learn how to take care of a child with a viral infection and be willing to miss a week of work if necessary while their child recovers?
• Are we realizing the risk of autism is REAL--and long term--and the risk of chickenpox and other childhood diseases are minimal and short lived?
• Are we approaching children from the stand point of health and keeping them well instead of worrying about disease?

Are we approaching the 100th monkey about vaccination?