Our View: Let's make sure everyone gets their chickenpox shot

The Montana Legislature took its sweet time in mandating the public school students be vaccinated against chickenpox. Every other state beat Montana to the punch.

But all praise to the lawmakers for their quick turnaround this past session.

They mandated that every student be immunized against the disease by Oct. 1. Students who don’t get their shots by then will be barred from attending classes.

That doesn’t give school districts much time to get the word out, and most have started to do so.

Many parents, smarter than legislators, have already had their children immunized, but many others only did what was mandated by law,

Schools have started to inform parents about the consequences of not getting the chickenpox vaccine. It would be sad if students had to miss class because they failed to meet the state mandate.

But those of us old enough to remember the days before the chickenpox vaccinations are glad students are being prodded into get immunized.

Chickenpox is sometimes just annoying, but sometimes casues serious problems. It causes students to miss classes for several days. In some cases, it leaves people with scars.

The disease spreads like wildfire, and for years, schools reported massive student absences from chickenpox epidemics.

In some cases, people, especially those with immunity disorders, face serious illness and even death from chickenpox.

There ought to be no delay in enforcing the Montana law that requires the shot.

Fortunately, the Hill County Health Department has done a great job of making the vaccine available to the public. If you need to make arrangements, call 265-5481, ext. 266.

Some schools are looking at the possibility of having clinics at school so students get their shots without leaving the building.

That sounds great to us.

The sooner every student gets immunized, the fewer people will become affiliated with chickenpox.

The state, the county and the school systems have a great opportunity to contribute to the health of our young people. We are glad to see they are using it.

Let’s make sure everyone is immunized and no one has to be barred from classrooms.