Benton County health officials are urging parents and caregivers to review their children’s vaccination records as the new school year begins, citing a continued decline in immunization rates across the state and county.
The Benton County Health Department said Monday that fewer students than ever are attending school without meeting all required vaccinations, a trend it first flagged in June. Officials say the drop raises the risk of outbreaks of diseases such as measles and pertussis, which can spread rapidly through schools and childcare settings.
Luv Paresa, immunization coordinator for the county health department, said summer travel often contributes to the seasonal spread of illness once students and staff return to shared indoor spaces in the fall…