To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate
News released today of a possible outbreak of measles has required an alert to be issued nationwide from the Indiana State health Commissioner, Dr. Gregory Larkin. Last Friday, with approximately 200,000 people visiting Super Bowl Village to purchase Super Bowl 46 memorabilia, one fan was infected with the measles.
So now you`re saying it`s only one fan right? Wrong--measles is an airborne disease that can spread easily through sneezing and coughing, and anyone who hasn`t been vaccinated should seek medical care, just as a precaution. This applies especially to women who are pregnant, babies younger than 1 year of age, and those who have a compromised immune system, such as people with diabetes.
Once measles have been contracted there is no treatment, but the vaccine is 95 to 99% effective in preventing the illness, according to Dr. Greg Wallace, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Division of Viral Diseases. Those who are not vaccinated are at high risk of developing the disease, but Americans born prior to 1957 are often considered immune to measles, as it once ran so rampantly throughout the country. Most are likely to have already had the viral infection, according to the CDC.
With all the debate lately on whether or not to get children vaccinated for things such as measles, mumps and rubella, the CDC is hoping that this will serve as an alert system to heighten awareness. ``At the very least, this is a good opportunity to remind people to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations and remind parents to get their children vaccinated.`` Wallace says