The diseases that could return as vaccination rates decline — and why you should care

Measles have surged to a record high, with more cases reported this year than any year since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.

This disappointing record comes amid falling childhood vaccination rates: Coverage against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, polio and pertussis is declining in more than 30 states, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some people may believe that if they’re personally vaccinated, they have nothing to worry about. But is individual protection enough when contagious illnesses start multiplying? How will falling vaccination rates result in the return of previously eliminated diseases? Will only children be affected, or could adults see an impact as well? Who would be at highest risk if there is lower population-wide immunity? And what can be done to prevent this possibility?

To get some answers, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner.

Dr. Leana Wen: Yes. There are numerous examples around the world. Countries that were once polio-free have had polio outbreaks due to interruptions in childhood immunization programs caused by war and conflict. Measles outbreaks have occurred in countries where measles had been eliminated, due to falling vaccine coverage.

This, in fact, is what we are seeing now in the US. In Texas, 753 measles cases have been confirmed since January. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 98 of these patients have been hospitalized, and two people, both children, have died. This outbreak is believed to have originated in communities with low vaccination rates.

What could happen if childhood vaccination rates declined further? A recent study published in JAMA predicted that a 10% decline in measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage could result in more than 11 million measles infections over 25 years. A 50% decline in routine childhood vaccinations could result in 51 million measles cases, 9.9 million rubella cases and 4.3 million polio cases.

The projections also included the number of people affected by severe consequences of these diseases: As many as 10.3 million people in the US could be hospitalized, 159,200 could die, 5,400 could experience paralysis from polio, and 51,200 could have neurological consequences from measles.

Wen: They should still worry for three main reasons.

First, while many vaccinations provide excellent protection against disease, there is still a chance of breakthrough infections — meaning that the vaccine doesn’t provide 100% protection. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% protective against measles infection, which is an outstanding level of protection. But it’s not 100%, so if someone is exposed to measles, there is still a chance they could become infected. However, vaccination substantially reduces the likelihood of infection and also of having severe disease if they were to become infected. The more disease there is in the community, the higher the likelihood of exposure and infection.

Second, there may be some waning of vaccine effectiveness over time. For instance, according to the CDC, immunity to pertussis — also known as whooping cough — starts to wane after a few years following vaccination. Older adults who received childhood vaccinations many years ago may become susceptible if previously controlled childhood diseases make a comeback.

Third, there are people who are unable to receive the benefit of vaccination directly themselves. Some people are unable to receive certain vaccines because of specific medical conditions. For instance, someone who has a weakened immune system may not be able to get the MMR vaccine because it contains a live, weakened form of the virus.

Also, some people may have medical conditions that render vaccines less effective at protecting them. These individuals depend on the rest of society — those who can receive the vaccine — to do so and try to prevent these diseases from spreading.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/diseases-could-return-vaccination-rates-213619393.html

View attachment 53902
View attachment 53903
Shouldn't have allowed millions of unvaccinated illegals ibn to our country, should you have?


Fucking imbeciles.
 
You can't name three things that Trump has fucked up.
Easy, just off the top of my head;

His fucked up Cabinet picks
Brain draining America’s scientists and intellectuals
Alienating America’s traditional and historical allies thereby opening the door for China extending it’s influence worldwide
Shifting on Congress, the Constitution, and whole system of checks and balances the Founders established
Cutting health care coverage for millions
Indiscriminately cut Federal workforce resulting in incompetence in major Federal institutions
Been played by autocrats

Many more but why go on, all you are going to do so deny the reality and blame Biden
 
Easy, just off the top of my head;
You know this won't go well ...

His fucked up Cabinet picks
The cabinet picks were great.

Brain draining America’s scientists and intellectuals
Fiction.

Alienating America’s traditional and historical allies thereby opening the door for China extending it’s influence worldwide
Delusion.

Shifting on Congress, the Constitution, and whole system of checks and balances the Founders established
You are delerious.

Cutting health care coverage for millions [of illegal immigrants].
FTFY. That's a positive.

Indiscriminately cut Federal workforce resulting in incompetence in major Federal institutions
Trump very discriminantly cut away dead wood. This is another positive.

Been played by autocrats
Negotiating is the President's job. It's in the job description.

Many more but why go on,
You couldn't name even one thing, much less three. At least you recognize that Biden's handlers were at fault for virtually every problem arising from their oligarchy.
 
You know this won't go well ...


The cabinet picks were great.


Fiction.


Delusion.


You are delerious.


FTFY. That's a positive.


Trump very discriminantly cut away dead wood. This is another positive.


Negotiating is the President's job. It's in the job description.


You couldn't name even one thing, much less three. At least you recognize that Biden's handlers were at fault for virtually every problem arising from their oligarchy.
Wrong

How’s that playing out, Hegseth released any secrets today

Wrong

Right, cutting indiscriminately based on numbers rather than quality is always a good idea

Yeah, how’s the negotiating going with Putin

So Congress extended Tic Toc’s operating in the US

Wrong, just came up with five or six just off the top of my head, all which can be documented by anyone not drunk on the Kool Aid

Next
 
I was spot on.

How’s that playing out, Hegseth released any secrets today
Is that all you got?

I was spot on.

Right, cutting indiscriminately based on numbers rather than quality is always a good idea
Exactly, cutting discriminantly based on dead wood not even showing up to work is a great idea that should be applauded.

Yeah, how’s the negotiating going with Putin
It's going, thank you very much, as opposed to not occurring. It's good that you understand that negotiation and communication is better than radio silence.

So Congress extended Tic Toc’s operating in the US
Too funny! You think Congress is Trump! @JPP, does someone want to break the news to archives?

So, I'll give you another shot ... try to come up with just one thing that Trump has fucked up?
 
Shouldn't have allowed millions of unvaccinated illegals ibn to our country, should you have?
Weirdly enough, Central America has higher vaccination rates than Texas. It is impossible to get asylum without a health exam which includes vaccination, so the "unvaccinated illegals" are even more vaccinated than that.
 
I was spot on.


Is that all you got?


I was spot on.


Exactly, cutting discriminantly based on dead wood not even showing up to work is a great idea that should be applauded.


It's going, thank you very much, as opposed to not occurring. It's good that you understand that negotiation and communication is better than radio silence.


Too funny! You think Congress is Trump! @JPP, does someone want to break the news to archives?

So, I'll give you another shot ... try to come up with just one thing that Trump has fucked up?
Quite the contrary proven by the fact you offered nothing to invalidate it

Nah, we could go into Kennedy, Noem, Kash, etc., etc., but why bother, the Messiah said they were the best, so you swallowed

Appears someone doesn’t know the meaning of indiscriminately

All one needs to understand is appeasement, if done quietly or “negotiated” it never works out well

No, Trump’s shown he don’t need Congress nor the Constitution, is Tic Toc still operating in the US

Already gave you several, off the top of my head; His fucked up Cabinet picks, Brain draining America’s scientists and intellectuals, Alienating America’s traditional and historical allies thereby opening the door for China extending it’s influence worldwide, Shifting on Congress, the Constitution, and whole system of checks and balances the Founders established, Cutting health care coverage for millions, Indiscriminately cut Federal workforce resulting in incompetence in major Federal institutions, Been played by autocrats, and added three trillion to the national debt to please the Maralago crowd
 
That once thought extinct diseases are now making a comeback because of RFK’s downplaying vaccines, sure as hell is Trump’s fault, he appointed the nut job
The only one I can think of that would truly be dangerous would be for someone to contract smallpox. As an active spreader they could easily kill millions in a matter of a month or two. Smallpox is highly contagious and few people are immunized against it today because it's long thought to be eradicated worldwide.
 
Back
Top