Marc YachtA new politically correct buzzword joins such classics as, New Sincerity (that is passé), Disruptive Innovation (big trouble), the need to Walk Back that comment (oops!), and Disingenuous Statement (lie)! Welcome Anti-Vaxxers. This growing legion of the misinformed refuses their children lifesaving vaccinations. Vaccines stand accused by one prominent conservative doctor-politician of potentially causing mental illness. Another physician claims they introduce poisonous chemicals into the body. Other pseudo experts have claimed everything from government schemes, Jewish conspiracies, aborted fetuses, to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). All are bogus concerns and facts overwhelmingly prove vaccines save lives.
Unfortunately, the vulnerable, the anti-government crowd, the anti-science folks, the typically uneducated, an emerging well-heeled population, and those grousing for votes jump aboard this mindless bandwagon. As a nation espousing individual rights there should be little concern; however, this increasing number of unvaccinated children puts others at risk. The recent California measles outbreak spotlights the need to rein in allowable exemptions. Measles outbreaks will set new records this year and are directly linked to the unvaccinated.
Many states undermine vaccine requirements. Florida allows any parent to religiously justify an exemption. As Pasco County’s Health Officer I tried on more than one occasion to encourage “anti-vaxxers” to vaccinate their children. Such efforts typically fell on deaf ears. After all, what does a medical doctor know about vaccinations?
Before the advent of miracle vaccines, the U.S. could expect 550,000 cases of measles annually causing 500 deaths and possible lifelong complications. Pertussis affected 200,000 causing 9,000 deaths. Rubella affected 12 million in a 1964 epidemic with critical consequences. Polio claimed 35,000 cases annually with occasional crippling effects. Many can remember the iron lung wards with polio’s respiratory complications.
Prior to polio vaccine, mothers would face the summer fearful that their child might contract the disease. Today’s generation has not experienced the tragedies related to epidemic childhood illnesses. The era of vaccines reduced to insignificant numbers those dangers.
Adults also have preventive protocols for vaccines, and of course various countries have vaccine requirements for visitors. Local health departments can clarify vaccination needs for travelers. U.S. military personnel face stringent vaccine requirements.
Denying children vaccines creates risk for childhood illnesses. A small number of children are medically exempt. Those unfortunate children face significant risk if exposed to an anti-vaxxer’s child. Those states with strict requirements might reduce the unvaccinated to less than 1 percent. More lenient states have unvaccinated levels as high as 6 percent. Such numbers place states under the safe threshold and might face serious preventable disease epidemics.
Overall vaccination levels are high. Those unvaccinated are protected by what is called herd immunity. The potential for exposure to the viruses is small because of high vaccination levels. The lower the protection levels the more opportunity for exposure. Particularly vulnerable are infants too young to receive their vaccinations, the immune-compromised and those with medical exemptions. A small percentage of those vaccinated will not be protected.
Unvaccinated children have other problems. If they have childhood illnesses as teens or adults, the disease might take a much more serious course. They must be kept home from school should any student have a vaccine-preventable illness. If they harbor the virus other unvaccinated are at risk. The unvaccinated are at great risk when travelling to countries endemic with preventable disease. They might bring that disease back to their communities.
Preventive vaccines have saved millions of lives and have eradicated serious disease threats and complications. The recent Disneyland outbreak in California and similar occurrences are deemed the result of the growing number of unvaccinated children. States vary in regulation from only allowing medical exemptions to allowing philosophical justification to denying vaccines.
Public health is compromised by anti-vaxxers. With the increasing measles outbreaks and the resurgence of other childhood preventable diseases, states would best serve public health interest by removing all but medical justification for vaccine refusal. Individual rights must give way to public health and safety. Vaccines are not only safe but are perhaps the world’s greatest public health success.
Dr. Marc Yacht is a semi-retired physician. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
