Measles was officially declared eradicated in the U.S. more than 20 years ago, but new outbreaks of the disease are popping up — and experts say declining vaccination rates are jeopardizing herd immunity and increasing the risk.
In Philadelphia, nine cases were reported after a cluster started in a hospital and spread to other medical facilities and a day care center. Measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that causes a tell-tale rash.
According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, during the 2021-2022 school year, 94.3% of kindergarteners in Philadelphia County were fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Last school year, that dropped to 92.8% — below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
“That’s really a wake-up call, because the real number in many communities is probably far below 93%,” Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for vaccine development and professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, told CBS News.
He says outbreaks like this one are more likely when vaccination rates drop.
Vaccination should NOT be optional. Your freedom of choice does not give you the right to harm others.
Mandating medical procedures is a massively slippery slope IMO.
I don’t think you’re entirely wrong just that it’s not massively. Potential for abuse? Hell yeah, and anyone that disagrees is being naive. However, I don’t know what to do about the antivax crowd putting me and everyone else in danger.
Fuck your slippery slope. Whenever americans want to refuse to improve something they call it a slippery slope. No it isnt. Vaccinate your children. If in the future it is demanded you cut off your legs you can protest against it then.
I agree. I am stuck on this one. How about we move all the antivaxxers somewhere else? Or like… There should be a limitation? Just like you’re free to be free but can have your license revoked. You lose some privileges so to speak.
Decades of research by brilliant scientists are being wiped away because of the masses of unbelievably stupid assholes.
Penn & Teller’s Bullshit segment on vaccines is the perfect 60 second argument in favour of vaccinations. The punch-line: “So even if vaccination DID cause autism - which it fucking DOESN’T - anti-vaccination would still be bullshit.”
We, as a society, have never been more dumbass.
We have warnings against drinking bleach and a former president who recommended it.
a former president who recommended it.
That isn’t even close to being the dumbest or most dangerous thing that president did, and he is currently the most likely nominee for the Republican party and has a terrifyingly realistic chance of getting a second term.
It’s like we have all the information of the world and the entirety of history at our fingertips… I can feel something…
I point to increased global temperature making viruses have a much easier time surviving…
That and low/home edumacated redneck bible thumpers…
Viruses thrive in winter…
Viruses thrive in winter because people stay inside and close together, allowing for easier transmission.
They also seem to like dry air
I think our immune system hates dry air and cold. Same result but different.
Let those who refuse the vaccine, die. Death is the best teacher to idiots. Harsh but fair. Their stupidity genes will die with their children.
It’s super unfortunate for the kids sake though. Like, the kids don’t deserve that.
I completely agree. They don’t. Unfortunately, sometimes tragedy is really the only way selfish people learn. Their opinion is all that matters at the moment. They’ll suddenly care when they’re having to make funeral arrangements for their child because there is nothing else doctors can do.
