HEALTH AND MEDICINE

Measles Outbreak Hits New York CityMarch 15, 2014 | by Lisa Winter

photo credit: CDC

Remember that map we showed you in January that tracks all the instances of completelypreventable diseases that are re-emerging due to lack of vaccination? Sadly, it is receivingseveral new data points due to an outbreak of the measles in New York City. Nineteenpeople have been diagnosed with measles and health officials are blaming an influx ofpeople opting out of vaccinations. Four have been hospitalized due to their symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious, viral respiratory system infection that can be transmittedthrough the air. Symptoms include a fever, cough, and widespread rash that causes itching.Roughly 1 in 3 people who get diagnosed with measles will suffer a complication, accordingto the CDC. These complications vary in severity, ranging from pneumonia, ulcers on thecornea, swelling of the brain, and death. Measles can be easily controlled throughvaccination and the United States saw a 99% drop in measles diagnoses since the vaccinewas introduced in the 1960s. Unfortunately, the diseases have not been completelyeradicated due to those in the anti-vaccination faction.

“As long as your kid is vaccinated, why should you care if mine is?” This statement is oftencited among parents who choose not to vaccinate their children, probably because it wouldbe a logical argument if this were a perfect world. For those of us stuck here in reality, it iseasy to see the blatant flaws. First and foremost, you cannot claim that herd immunity keepsother children safe when you actively try to thin the herd by advocating against vaccines.

The first dose of the MMR vaccine isn’t administered until a child is 12-15 months old anddoesn’t offer full protection until the child receives the second dose between ages 4-6. Theyoungest New Yorker to be diagnosed with measles is 3 months old. This child was never

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even given the option to be vaccinated and protected against the disease.

In addition to the young, the immunocompromised also rely on being surrounded byvaccinated individuals in order to stay protected. Those with severe allergies to gelatin orare receiving blood products are not able to get vaccinated. New York has more citizensliving with AIDS than any other state in the country and can be especially susceptible toinfection. Those who are HIV+ are able to receive the MMR vaccines and may benefit from abooster, provided they are not showing symptoms of AIDS.

Health officials in New York are recommending that everyone who is able to get the MMRvaccine do so. If an adult is unsure if they were vaccinated as a child, they can either receiveanother dose or get blood work done to check their immunity status. Pregnant women areunable to receive the vaccine, though getting an infection can increase the chances of birthdefects, miscarriage, or pre-term labor.

The MMR vaccine came under scrutiny in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, who claimed it causedautism. Because autism symptoms typically appear around the same time that children getthe bulk of their vaccines, parents began to worry and began rejecting vaccines. The rest ofthe scientific community denied his claims, as they were unable to reproduce the results. Itwas later revealed that Wakefield had actually falsified his data and was driven by financialmotivation. His paper was retracted by the journal and his medical license was stripped,though some people still cling to the misinformation and view it as truth. There is absolutelyzero scientific evidence to support a causal connection between vaccines and autism. Thisreckless anti-vax fear-mongering is absolutely responsible for this measles outbreak.

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• Reply •

VaccinesDoGood • a month ago

howdovaccinescauseautism.com 300

• Reply •

James Steelhaven • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

Damn it, made me link. Funny stuff right there! 6

• Reply •

Jeff • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

Good stuff right there 2

• Reply •

Barbara Holtzman • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

That's awesome. Click the link! 1

• Reply •

Charlie • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

I love it. 1

• Reply •

thedude • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

lol they totally do that's not a valid source maybe if you'd actually lookup some studies you can learn a thing or two lol

• Reply •

Amarie Silverstar • a month ago> thedude

So... where is your unbiased, "valid source"?

• Reply •

Vincenza • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

omg that was great!

• Reply •

Ian Tung • a month ago> VaccinesDoGood

You said it brotha'.

• Reply •

Daniel Fasullo • a month ago

I'm going to post again: Based on some of the comments that I am reading onhere, I really feel bad for the future of this earth. There are some really patheticviews that people have. Sadly, these people are going to teach their childrenthat. I'm sorry, but if you think that we're injecting people with full virus, you'rejust fucking stupid.

60

Citogal • a month ago> Daniel Fasullo

Actually, the Earth will be fine, it's gone thru mass extinctions beforeand will continue on its journey thru space after all humans are gone -which will be sooner rather than later due to stupidity and self-interest. Idon't worry so much about the Earth as I do the future of our species.As someone who is out of the gene pool - no children, won't have them

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