The resurrected debate over vaccinating our children is rapidly spreading like wildfire, both in the news and over the Internet in the wake of a measles outbreak that started at Disneyland.
In sum, the national Centers for Disease Control reports more than 100 cases of measles in January, most connected to the Disneyland case.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus similar to influenza.
It’s ludicrous that, in this day and age, there’s any argument at all that vaccinations are not only effective, but critical to the health and well-being of our children.
Simply put, it is a social obligation to do everything in our power to prevent the spread of preventable diseases like measles.
By opting not to vaccinate your child, you create the risk of additional outbreaks of a potentially fatal illness.
How many different ways must scientists prove that vaccinations do not cause conditions like autism?
In the decade before 1963, when a measles vaccine became available, nearly all children contracted measles by age 15, according to the CDC. It is estimated 3 million to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year. Also, each year an estimated 400-500 people died from the disease, 48,000 were hospitalized and 4,000 suffered encephalitis, the swelling of the brain.
According to the CDC, a single cough or sneeze will hurl the measles virus through the air in enormous viral-filled quantities. Once out of the host, the measles virus can linger on a surface for two hours. This rapidly spreading illness starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat.
It is followed by a tell-tale rash that spread all over the body.
An estimated 90 percent of nearby people who aren’t immune to the disease may also become infected.
The outbreak linked to Disneyland brought measles back into the public consciousness.
The CDC estimates three out of 10 people who get measles will develop further complications.
Measles is a serious disease, one that’s preventable, and this recent outbreak must serve as a reminder that vaccinating our children isn’t an option, it’s an obligation.
