Addressing the Threat of Measles Outbreaks in America: A Call to Action

As a measles survivor, I live with the physical and emotional scars that the disease left behind. The damage to my heart, eyes, and hearing is a constant reminder of the horror of the disease, and the pain of shingles that later struck me serves as a stark warning of its long-term effects.

Unfortunately, many US parents have opted not to have their children vaccinated against anything, perhaps influenced by discredited theories linking vaccines to autism. This decision, fueled by quack doctors and fueled by laziness or misinformation, not only puts their own children at risk but also endangers the broader community.

The Consequences of Vaccine Refusal

The lack of widespread vaccination can lead to devastating outbreaks. Cases in California and New York, where the anti-vax movement is most prevalent, have shown that these outbreaks can be contained relatively easily as long as over 99% of the population is vaccinated. However, the potential weakness in childhood vaccines is that adults often neglect to update their booster shots, allowing immunity to wane over time and potentially spreading disease.

Outcomes of Measles Outbreaks

There have been documented minor outbreaks in recent years, and tragically, children have died as a result. The impact of these outbreaks is severe, both in terms of public health and the emotional toll on families. The crucial step towards prevention is to enforce existing vaccination requirements for school entry, remove religious exemptions and waivers except for legitimate medical reasons such as Guillain Barré Syndrome, and strictly punish those who attempt to fake proof or exemptions.

The Road Ahead: Prioritizing Vaccine Mandates

Ultimately, the solution lies in taking decisive action. Once the Covid-19 vaccine and approved boosters receive FDA approval, they should be mandatory alongside existing childhood vaccines. It may take another wave of measles outbreak deaths for the majority of those opposed to vaccination to come to their senses.

Until that happens, we can expect increased population reduction and rising medical costs in a time when healthcare insurance is deemphasized. The time to act is now, for the sake of our children and the future of public health.