The Flintstones Dilemma
So which is the measles? A minor inconvenience and source of comedy in “The Flintstones,” or a growing, deadly international emergency? If you talk to the official organizations whose solemn mission it is to protect the health of the population, measles outbreaks are a crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now confirmed more than 700 cases across 22 states in the United States in 2019 alone. That’s despite the disease having been declared eradicated in the U.S. in the year 2000. Read more
Despite Measles Warnings, Anti-Vaccine Rally Draws Hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jews
A “vaccine symposium” in Rockland County was denounced by health authorities and some ultra-Orthodox rabbis, who said the speakers were spreading dangerous propaganda. Read more
Surgeon General VADM Jerome M. Adams, MP, MPH Statement on National Infant Immunization Week, Safety and Effectiveness of Vaccines
Vaccinations save lives, protect our children, and are one of the greatest public health achievements in history. Most parents choose to protect their children with these safe, proven vaccines. Despite this, we are now seeing a large, very concerning outbreak of measles. Vaccinating your baby according to the recommended immunization schedule provides the best protection against 14 serious childhood illnesses—including measles and whooping cough. As a parent, I have publicly talked about my family’s decision to protect my three children by getting them vaccinated. Unfortunately, there is inaccurate information circulating about vaccines, so let’s make sure we separate the facts Read More …
2019 Childhood Immunization Champion Award
The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization. This year, a new partner will join CDC to honor those who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunization among children 0-2 years old in their communities. One Champion from each of the 50 U.S. states, 8 U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States, and the District of Columbia will be honored. The awardees will be announced during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 27-May 4, 2019. We wanted Read More …
What Happened After California Got Rid of Personal Belief Exemptions?
Karen Kaplan | October 29, 2018 | Los Angeles Times Health authorities in California have more power to insist that a dog is vaccinated against rabies than to ensure that a child enrolled in public school is vaccinated against measles. That’s just one of the frustrations faced by health officials in the first year after California did away with “personal belief exemptions” that allowed parents to send their kids to school unvaccinated, according to a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics Read more