Measles

Measles were officially eradicated in 2000 in the United States. The viral disease was a scourge for young kids, killing thousands. Since the concerted effort to vaccinate children, the disease in the states was eliminated, although it remained a virulent danger in other parts of the world.

Recently, it has periodically reared its ugly head in the states. Now, multiple states are dealing with outbreaks of the disease. In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee has declared a public health emergency because of the number of cases in the southwest part of the state. Additionally, the measles virus is highly contagious and can linger for hours, infecting people long after the carrier is gone.

Washington is one of the states that allows for voluntary exemptions from vaccination. Reportedly, almost 10 percent of the at-risk children where the outbreak is most serious have not been vaccinated. This number is high enough to eliminate the protections called the “herd effect” that reduce the spread of the disease because so many are protected.

Locally, parts of Spokane are listed as hot spots because of the low rate of immunizations. No cases have been reported in Whitman County, although precautionary testing is being conducted at Whitman Medical Group.

The debate over whether vaccinations are safe has been swirling around for years. Many parents are against vaccinating their children because of purported health risks from the vaccine alone. Experts say the fear mongering about vaccinations is false, but some very effective anti-vaccination lobbies exist.

Measles can lead to death. Many children with measles are hospitalized. The disease can also lead to serious life-long disabilities, such as deafness. The disease is so virulent the governor recommends that children be diagnosed at home because of the risk of infecting others at a doctor’s office or hospital.

Legitimate reasons, such as health factors, keep some children from being vaccinated. The risks to these and others are magnified by the many children whose parents voluntarily do not have them vaccinated. A bill in Olympia to tighten the requirements for immunization has been proposed.

The arguments for or against vaccinations are more than medical. The question revolves around whether a few have the right to endanger the majority or whether individual freedoms are infringed upon by forcing the minority to adapt to societal needs.

These, of course, are questions that plague many aspects of American society. The crux of the issue, however, is simple: medical professionals have the ability to protect most from this disease. Not taking advantage of this protection simply does not make sense.