Though an outbreak in Ohio appears to have subsided since the spring, outbreaks of measles are still popping up all over the country. The summer break does not seem to have slowed the spread of this dangerous disease. Canada and Mexico are experiencing thousands of cases (and some deaths), too.

Most recently, Kentucky has announced its first measles outbreak of the year, with four cases in Fayette and Woodford counties. That brings the total in Kentucky to seven. In the U.S., the total number of confirmed cases this year sits at 1,267 — just shy of the 30-year high. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah also have active outbreaks.

So far, two children and one adult have died of this highly contagious but preventable disease. All were unvaccinated. It HAD been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, but unfounded vaccine hysteria has led some to make the irresponsible decision to put their children, themselves and vulnerable members of their families and communities at risk by rejecting the preventative measure.

Irrational decisions against the vaccine are reducing herd immunity. More parents are requesting religious or personal conscience waivers based on bizarre fear-mongering that too often hints that they are making a political statement as much as a medical decision to protect the health of their own children.

It is not too late to do the right thing. (Provided, of course, a real medical doctor has not advised against it in your child’s specific case; or there is not a genuine religious objection.) The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old, with a second shot between four and six years old. However, getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity.

In addition to the dangers associated with measles itself, there can be other deadly or potentially long-lasting complications. Why on earth would a parent risk that for their kids? Those who realize there aren’t many legitimate reasons to do so should consider talking to their children’s pediatricians about making things right — for their kids, for their families and for the rest of us.