In the 1950's a horrific Polio outbreak swept through the country, but today it's almost been erradicated from our country today.

 

A Deschutes County Health Department spokeswoman says some younger people who didn't live through that time may not fully understand the gravity of Polio, and the importance of keeping their kids protected against it and other serious diseases.

   

As we near the "exclusion day" deadline for local schools and daycare centers, Deschutes County Health Department spokesperson Heather Kaisner says parents who aren't current on their kids shots will get a reminder letter.

 

She says the ultimate goal is for these shots to someday become obsolete. 

"LOOK AT SMALL POX- WE WERE ABLE TO ERrADICATE THAT FROM THE WORLD AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT VACCINE ANYMORE.  SOME PEOPLE DON'T REMEMBER HOW HORRIBLE POLIO WAS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY AND today IT'S JUST A PLANE RIDE AWAY."

 

In some communities childhood diseases that were almost gone, have been on the rise because some parents are reluctant to immunize their kids.

 

Kaisner encouraged people who are nervous about the safety of the vaccines to make sure they are getting good, scientific information from credible sources.

 

The school exclusion day is Feb. 20th.