As of Sunday, there are at least 102 reported cases of measles across 14 states in the U.S., and the head of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said we are likely to see more cases.

The best way to prevent the spread of measles is to get vaccinated, said Tom Frieden, Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, Frieden said in an interview with CBS, that despite the U.S.’s 92 percent vaccination rate, there is growing evidence that more parents are refusing to vaccinate their children.

“What we’ve seen is, as over the last few years, a small but growing number of people have not been vaccinated. That number is building up among young adults in society, and that makes us vulnerable,” Frieden said in the same interview.

Hearing this shocks me. With all the amazing advances in medical science, how can parents not be taking advantage of the opportunity to help secure the health of their children?

Vaccines are the reason we rarely hear of American children having diseases like measles anymore. It’s a sickness that seems so old school, because most people never have to worry about catching it.

However, refusing to vaccinate children is not only potentially harmful to the unvaccinated child exposed to something like measles, but it can also endanger other children who may come in contact with the child who was already exposed.

The current outbreak was sparked in Disneyland, and has now spread across the states.

But why are some people so relentless with their effort to keep their children vaccine-free?

So-called “anti-vaxxers” claim that vaccines aren’t necessary, don’t work or can cause medical complications. Yet these excuses have been disproven by scientists time and time again, and are not valid enough to justify refraining from vaccines.

Dr. Jack Wolfson, an Arizona cardiologist, refuses to vaccinate his two sons. He is not concerned about the fact his children could potentially infect others with harmful illnesses because he believes that vaccines can be harmful.

“I’m not going to sacrifice the well-being of my child. My child is pure,” Wolfson said. “It’s not my responsibility to be protecting their child.”

Americans generally don’t have to worry about contracting viruses like measles because of the vaccine, not because the virus has simply vanished. The decline in reported cases is proof that the vaccines do work.

As for people who believe outrageous claims such as “vaccines cause autism,” this was already disproven. According to scientific reports, there is no evidence that links autism to vaccines.

With the possibility of an impending measles epidemic, I strongly urge parents to immunize their children. Don’t doubt medical science. Trust your doctor’s recommendations, especially when it comes to the safety of children.