CDC

Vaccines in Spotlight as Measles Returns

As more states report cases of the measles, the need for vaccinations has become clear for scientists and doctors across the nation. While no cases have been reported in Florida, the contagiousness of the disease has doctors everywhere worried.

“Not only is it an airborne disease, it is one of the most contagious diseases you can get,” said Dr. Joe Alton, a medical preparedness expert.

The current outbreak of measles can be linked back to a case in California at Disneyland. Since then, the disease has spread to 14 states and more than 100 cases. The disease has come back in large part due to many parents refusing to vaccinate their children. This has impacted the overall population by reducing the herd, or community, immunity.

According to the National Institutes of Health, herd immunity is when a critical portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease. That, in turn, provides little opportunity for an outbreak, and ends up helping protect most members of the community, including those who can’t take vaccines.

However, when large numbers of the population refuse the vaccines; it can have deadly consequences for many people.

“Once the percentage of vaccinated children drops below a certain level, herd immunity is lost,” Dr. Alton said.

Measles is considered highly contagious and is spread through coughing and sneezing. It typically starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. That’s then followed by a rash that spreads across the body. It can also cause complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.

Tuesday, experts from the NIH and the Centers for Disease Control testified to Congress that the scientific research is safe and that children should be vaccinated.

“Vaccines save lives and are the best way for parents to protect their children from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the immunization director at the CDC. Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the NIH said the decision to vaccinate against measles is a “slam-dunk.”

Still, despite the scientific consensus, some question the need for vaccines. Davie resident Lloyd Phillips expressed his opinion that vaccines could bring life to a disease or ailment that lies dormant.

“There is no such thing as an anti-Vax parent. There is a parent who took their children to be vaccinated and had an adverse effect and now they are fighting for their child’s life and the life of other children they may have or other family and they’re fighting to get this information,” Phillips said.

Much of the anti-vaccination movement can be traced to a scientifically discredited and falsified study from Doctor Andrew Wakefield. The Lancet, a British medical journal, published Wakefield’s study in 1998 in which he claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Wakefield’s study was torn apart by scientists and The Lancet went as far as to call the research “fraudulent” and retracted the original paper. Journalists discovered that Wakefield had altered almost all of his data to fit his findings.

In addition, according to Vox.com, Wakefield was trying to discredit the MMR vaccine while also filing a patent for a single measles vaccine that would be “safe.” British medical authorities eventually stripped Wakefield of his license, according to the New York Times.

“They (Parents) really have to weigh the benefits versus risk. In this case, the benefits win,” said Dr. Alton.

Medical professionals are keeping their eye out for any possible measles cases, but say extra protection past the vaccine includes washing your hands often and keeping your hands away from your face.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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