CDC: Number of unvaccinated children rising

A small but growing number of children are not getting vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The latest report found that about 100,000 children younger than 2 have not received their vaccinations—almost quadruple the number in 2001.

Dr. Kerry Fierstein, a pediatrician with Allied Physicians Group, said vaccinations are the primary disease preventers. She stressed the importance of giving children all the recommended vaccines, including the flu shot.

"If we let our vaccinations rates decrease then herd immunity will decrease and these vaccine-preventable diseases will start to come back again," Fierstein said. "Flu is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in children and parents don't vaccinate their child."

The CDC reminds people that current recommendations are backed by extensive research, although a minority of parents find them controversial. Doctors warn parents to be careful of who they listen to.

The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the polio vaccine are required for children entering public school kindergarten, according to the CDC.