Sunscreen, seat belts, helmets and bug repellent rarely cause a ruckus.

But immunizations — another common preventative measure — are at the center of emotionally charged controversy across America.

The vaccine debate flared up after a recent measles outbreak linked to Disneyland spread to multiple states. It’s even become an issue for 2016 presidential hopefuls, as Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Rand Paul, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and others weighed in on immunizations last week.

Here in the Cowboy State, there hasn’t been a known case of measles since 2010, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.

“However, the current outbreak is spreading, including to the neighboring states of Nebraska, Colorado and Utah,” Dr. Wendy Braund, the state health officer, said in a recent statement. “If the outbreak continues to grow, it’s possible we could see measles in Wyoming.”

Let’s do what we can to prevent that from happening here.

Scientific evidence shows vaccines work. For decades, cases of contagious diseases like measles and whooping cough declined in America, thanks to immunizations.

Measles was even declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, according to Braund, so it’s troubling to see the disease resurfacing.

The Department of Health issued a news release last week to remind Wyomingites not to take vaccinations for granted. It’s a sentiment we echo.

Over the years, vaccines have done so well at preventing diseases that some people have stopped seeing measles, whooping cough and other illnesses as a serious risk. When a disease is no longer commonplace, prevention may seem unnecessary.

Of course, the recent measles outbreak shows the disease still poses a real risk, even in 2015.

Some families’ decision not to vaccinate stems from fears that immunizations could cause autism. That concern was fueled by a study published in the 1990s, which was later retracted and has been widely discredited.

According to Autism Speaks, a leading autism science and advocacy organization, extensive research has examined any possible link between childhood vaccinations and autism.

“The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism,” said Rob Ring, chief science officer of Autism Speaks. “We urge that all children be fully vaccinated.”

Most children who attend Wyoming public schools receive immunizations, Braund said. The state requires vaccinations for students in public schools, but parents are allowed to apply for religious or medical exemptions. Locally, the majority of students follow the recommended vaccination schedule, said Kathy Kendrick, a school nurse for Park County School District No. 1.

“Our district is extremely well immunized,” she said Friday. “We are in range of 98-99 percent compliance in immunizations.”

To find out more about vaccine requirements for children enrolled in Powell schools, visit the nurse’s office page at www.pcsd1.org/Pages/nurses.aspx.

For parents concerned about the safety of vaccines: We encourage you to talk with your health care providers and take a serious look at scientific studies on immunizations before deciding to skip them. It is a personal decision, but it’s one that affects us all.