I remember some posts over the past several years decrying mandated 
vaccinations. This is the natural consequence of making the pertussis 
vaccination optional.
The following information was obtained this morning by email from a 
friend of mine from the Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare:
Our current immunization coverage is running about 61% overall, but
since state law makes pertussis coverage optional, the figure for
pertussis coverage is lower yet.  IOW a child entering day care or
public schools will be considered fully immunized with only the DT
component, without ever having received pertussis immunization.
Further, the 'mandate' is very loose, anyone can claim an exemption
with little difficulty.
Consequently, for a number of years Idaho has been running last in
the nation in immunization coverage.   And we are experiencing first 
hand the consequences of that situation.  The infant in question was a 7 
week old male infant in a day care.   The child became progressively 
more ill during the day.  The mother was called and by the time she 
arrived at the day care the infant had died.  The coroner diagnosed 
pertussis by TFA testing (but not by culture).  It is important to note 
that the infant had  * NOT *  yet started any immunizations (but had 
been scheduled for the following week).  
Presently, Idaho lags the nation in pertussis coverage, and leads it
in pertussis incidence by a wide margin.
     PERTUSSIS INCIDENCE RATE: Idaho vs. USA   (per 100/000)
			 
          1994     1995     1996      1997(to date)
		   
Idaho      15.2      9.97        9.7         55    (est.)
USA         1.8       1.8        2.94   
Idaho Cases of Pertussis:
           1995     1996     1997
		   
            116       115       470   (to date)
			
Thus, while pertussis tends to have periodic swings in incidence in
both vaccinated and unvaccinated children, it is clear from our own
experience that the swings in unvaccinated children are hugely
greater.  We are in the middle of a major upsurge in pertussis cases
with a large number of hospitalizations and complications,  entirely
due to our abysmally poor immunization coverage.  For those
still harboring the delusion that there's 'no evidence vaccination
reduces disease' are invited to Idaho to see for themselves what a
lack of immunization produces.  While in any given year our pertussis
incidence will be 5 times the national average, this year it
will likely be * 25 times * the national average!
My comments: (my friends-Mark)
The issue of 'mandates' is certainly a problematic one.  To what
extent does society have the right to protect us from our own
foolishness?  Idaho state repealed a motorcycle helmet law, but
neighboring states require helmets.  Is this permissable?  We have a
seat belt law(only 50% compliance), is this permissable?  At least
here in Idaho, the penalties and hassles for not wearing a seat belt
are much greater and more severe than for not getting immunized.
Thus the huff and fluff over vaccination 'mandates' is, at least
here, an exaggerated 'tempest in a teapot.'   The 'mandate' is so
readily circumvented that it basically amounts to little more than a
strong suggestion.
Even so, in the struggle between individual rights and the rights of
society to protect the common welfare, the health of one individual
reflects on the health of all.  No man(or child) is an island, and it
is a sad 'half-truth' to presume otherwise.
               The Few. The Proud. The Chosen.
                     markprobe@aol.com
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 * CMPQwk #1.4 * UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY
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