AAP says more doctors seeing parents opt-out of vaccinations

A new survey released by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows parents are becoming more worried, and doctors think this becoming a dangerous trend. Three-year-old Eric Guerra stays up to date on his shots.

“I take him for his check-ups and he always gets vaccinated,” said Carissa Guerra, mother.

Guerra always felt at peace doing so. Some close to her feel differently.

“I have a friend who has a daughter who has autism and she believes that it is from the vaccinations and we have our friendly arguments,” Guerra said.

Guerra's friend is not alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a survey conducted in 2013. It says eighty seven percent of pediatricians say they've run into concerned parents talking about refusing the vaccines. That's up from 75 percent of doctors saying this back in 2006. Doctors say this trend could be deadly.

“We are seeing pockets of vaccine hesitancy in the U.S. lead to little pockets of outbreaks. Pertussis would be the big one, whooping cough,” said Dr. Donald Murphey, Texas Medical Association.

“It's just scary, all these new diseases coming up,” Guerra said.

The most common reason parents refused the vaccines, were that they were unnecessary because most of the diseases have been wiped out. But doctors say a comeback could happen. Another hot topic has been a connection to autism.

“There's been no credible evidence showing a link to vaccinations and the diagnosis of autism,” said Joyce Mauk, president-elect of Texas Pediatric Society.

Some clinics are becoming more strict on their requirements. The Austin Regional Clinic announced last year they won't take new children whose parents won't permit vaccinations. As for Carissa Guerra, she says a diagnosis of measles or pneumonia is nothing to risk.

“It protects your child and the other child,” said Guerra.