While most of us know that measles is a serious, life-threatening disease, there are still some folks that want you to think that it is nothing to worry about.
It’s just a rash and fever, right?
The Importance of Vaccination Against Measles
Actually, while most people did recover after having a high fever, irritability, and other symptoms for a week or more, some didn’t. That’s why doctors at the time called it a harmless killer.
And why many were looking forward to a vaccine to get measles under control, as measles was a leading killer at the time.
While measles vaccination was getting off to a slow start at the time, it should be obvious that there was a big need for these vaccines.
“Thus it is up to each one of us to convince our own segment of the population since this seems to be the only way to do it. And it is up to each one of us to remind our fellow physicians to cover his segment of the population.”
Norman Lewak, MD
Fortunately, everyone did finally take action and while it was a little later than originally planned, we got measles under control.
“Vigorous endorsement and execution of this aim by physicians and responsible health authorities should eliminate measles by 1970, and a suitable motto for the five-year period might well be “Mortus a morbilli.”
Lewis L. Coriell, MD
And the endemic spread of measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that we eliminated or eradicated measles. It simply means that all cases and outbreaks are linked to someone from outside the United States.
Now, as too many people are either scared or have forgotten about the importance of vaccination against measles, cases are rising, continuing to reach new record levels.
So what’s next?
“All we need is one concerted campaign to get every susceptible vaccinated. One death, one brain-damaged child, or even one child who needs hospitalization is one too many.”
Norman Lewak, MD
Let’s get everyone vaccinated and protected.
Vaccines are safe, with few risks, and they are obviously necessary.
Measles is not a mild disease. And it never was.
More on the Importance of Vaccination Against Measles
- VAXOPEDIA – Everything You Need to Know About the Measles Vaccine
- VAXOPEDIA – More About Measles Deaths in the United States
- VAXOPEDIA – More Measles Myths
- Ask the Experts about MMR
- Measles complications – why the MMR vaccine is so important to children
- Measles Stories
- Measles: Common, yes; Mild, no
- Measles Is Serious (A History Lesson from My Grandmother)
- I Was on the Front Line of L.A.’s Last Measles Outbreak
- Pediatrician Remembers Measles & Diphtheria in Charleston
- Pediatrician Remembers Measles Patients at Louisville General in the 1960s
- Pediatrician Remembers a Measles Outbreak Among the Amish
- Measles outbreak frustrates pediatrician who recalls disease well
- Outbreak! On the front lines of a measles epidemic
- Beyond Rash And Fever: How Measles Can Kill