The headline was almost shocking when it came out last month — Mississippi was the best in a nationwide ranking.

Could it be true?

Anyone who either has Magnolia State blood or who has adopted the state as home knows the depressing feeling of hearing a new national ranking has come out.

More often than not, Mississippi is at the top of the “worst of” lists and at the bottom of the “best of” ones.

But last month, Mississippi was cited for again having the highest percentage of children who are vaccinated against dangerous, but preventable diseases.

That’s a good thing and one in which Mississippi health officials should take pride.

While early childhood vaccinations have drawn much criticism from some parents, public health experts suggest little to no evidence exists to cause great worry.

The dangers, should a child actually contract one of the diseases vaccinations prevent, far outweigh the risks.

Hopefully soon, Mississippi will manage to lift itself off the bottom of other national “best of” health-related lists as well.