Debate about vaccinations after measles outbreak

Measles outbreak due to heated discussions about vaccinations

06/02/2015

In the US, 102 people from 14 countries have been infected with measles since the beginning of the year, with most of these cases being linked to an amusement park in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Already last year, the United States recorded a record number of measles cases (644 cases) after the disease was considered eradicated. The cause is the decline in vaccination in the population.

Actually, the measles in the USA have been officially eliminated since the year 2000. In the past few years, however, the United States has seen a dramatic increase in infections. As a result, vigorous discussion between vaccination opponents and advocates has erupted, with the factual level only having a limited impact in the heated debate. It is clear that measles virus will reach the USA again and again, even if the country as „Measles free“ applies. Because in other countries, measles are still relatively widespread and travelers can easily become carriers of viruses here. Therefore, it seems hardly surprising that the US outbreaks of recent years have occurred primarily in high-density locations of international travelers.

Freedom of choice in vaccinations
If all US citizens were vaccinated, there would be no risk of spread of the pathogens even if measles viruses were imported from abroad. But not least because the measles have been considered eradicated in the US for more than ten years, more and more parents have decided against a corresponding vaccination of their children in recent years. The possibility of freely deciding on the vaccination is often justified by the principles of the constitution. Freedom - not least freedom of choice - is an elementary asset for most Americans. The doubts about the vaccinations have been fueled in recent years, significantly by the media appearances of the vaccination opponent, actress and author Jenny McCarthy, reports the news magazine „star“. With the story of her son Evan, who after his vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella from the happy toddler almost overnight has become an autist, McCarthy could convince many US citizens of the disadvantages of vaccinations.

Fake study
The statements of Jenny McCarthy point in the same direction, as a study by the researcher Andrew Wakefield, who in the respected British trade magazine „The Lancet“ Appeared in 1998, reports the „star“. Vaccination opponents worldwide would invoke this study, in which a supposed link between immunization and autism was found. But Wakefield had been exposed a short time later as a fraudster. The sample included only 12 children and the results were falsified. Many of the children allegedly suffering from autism were in good health, according to the news magazine. Wakefield had to withdraw the study and lost its approval. Later investigations could never find any indication of a link between autism and vaccination, the author said „star“ continue.

Vaccination is the most important strategy?
The CDC's communication on the recent measles outbreak points out that vaccines are the most important strategy to prevent measles. „Two doses of the Measles Component Vaccine (MMR) vaccine are effective in the prevention of measles in more than 99% of cases“, reports the US Department of Health. However, politicians such as the Republican Paul Ryan, who wants to become US President in 2016 and is a doctor by profession, show up „star“ disagree. „Not vaccinating children is an act of freedom for me. I have heard of many tragic cases of happy and healthy children mentally handicapped after a vaccination“, he quotes „star“ from an interview with Ryan. To what extent the latter can prove this statement, however, remains doubtful. Because such a clear static connection between intellectual disabilities and vaccinations, as Ryan assumes, has so far been in any scientific study.

Parents of infected children speak up
In recent days, the US media reports have also raised the number of parents of infected children, who point to the risk of neglecting the measles vaccine protection. Because a child is too young for a vaccine or can not be vaccinated due to an immunodeficiency, it benefits from high vaccination rates of the environment. Conversely, low vaccination rates increase the risk of transmitting measles over the air and are highly contagious. As Carl Krawitt emphasizes in the contribution of the news magazine „star“, that it is also about his freedom. His family lives in California, where most measles infections are currently occurring.

Some children can not be vaccinated
Since his six-year-old son is cured after four and a half years of fighting leukemia and countless chemotherapies, but due to the weakened immune system currently can not be vaccinated, schooling for him to a life-threatening risk, so Krawitt. With the many children suffering from measles in his environment, little Rhett could easily become infected himself. „If others decide not to vaccinate their child and that child gets measles and dies, that's their decision, their problem and their guilt. But if such a child infects my son and my child dies, then these people have killed him“, he quotes „star“ the family man. A statement that also illustrates how fueled the mood is right now.

Lack of confidence in the safety of vaccinations
Overall, a major problem with vaccinations seems to be the lack of confidence in their safety. So reported the „star“ According to a survey, only 53 percent of Americans consider vaccinations safe. For this reason, the health authorities are currently trying to make more persuasive work and the prominent US politician Hillary Clinton has commented on Twitter on the subject. „The science is clear. The earth is round. The sky is blue and vaccinations work. Protect our children“, like Clinton. The CDC also point out that when symptoms of measles occur, a doctor should be promptly consulted, not least to minimize the risk of infection for others. As a rule, the disease begins „with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.“ After a few days, a red skin rash appears that first appears on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body. (Fp)