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Pathophilia succinctly describes the CDC’s MMWR report and takes a closer look at the 131 cases of measles reported from January-July of this year. Writes Pathophilia:
The overwhelming majority of these cases were imported* (13%) or linked to imported disease (76%). (It is important to note that the number of imported measles cases in the United States has not changed appreciably over the years, but that the number of importation-associated cases accounts for this year’s dubious record.) A large percentage (81%) of measles cases were related to 7 outbreaks (≥3 cases). Fifteen individuals, including 4 children younger than 15 months, were hospitalized for disease; however, there have been no deaths—yet.
Most important, however, is the fact that a whopping 91% of cases occurred in individuals who had not received vaccination or whose vaccination status was unknown. Among these 112 patients, 85% were eligible to receive vaccination, but 66% had declined because of “philosophical or religious beliefs.”
*Genetically or epidemiologically linked to cases in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, India, Israel, China, German, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Russia.
As an editorial noted in the CDC’s MMWR report states, the number of unvaccinated individuals has risen high enough in some communities that herd immunity has been compromised:
In the United States, measles caused 450 reported deaths and 4,000 cases of encephalitis annually before measles vaccine became available in the mid-1960s (1). Through a successful measles vaccination program, the United States eliminated endemic measles transmission (1). Sustaining elimination requires maintaining high MMR vaccine coverage rates, particularly among preschool (>90% 1-dose coverage) and school-aged children (>95% 2-dose coverage) (7). High coverage levels provide herd immunity, decreasing everyone’s risk for measles exposure and affording protection to persons who cannot be vaccinated. However, herd immunity does not provide 100% protection, especially in communities with large numbers of unvaccinated persons. For the foreseeable future, measles importations into the United States will continue to occur because measles is still common in Europe and other regions of the world. Within the United States, the current national MMR vaccine coverage rate is adequate to prevent the sustained spread of measles. However, importations of measles likely will continue to cause outbreaks in communities that have sizeable clusters of unvaccinated persons.
A story from MSNBC provides some details about the attitudes of parents who’ve chosen not to vaccinate their children for their “philosophical or religious beliefs.” To some, there’s a genuine belief that there is simply something morally wrong about having to vaccinate their children; about having their children’s and their own rights as individuals trampled upon. Parents, and mothers in particular, feel that it’s their moral obligation as parents today to “do their research” and to stand up to and to question the authority that says what seems tantamount to an order of “thou shalt vaccinate.” Call it an after-effect of feminism and women’s rights if you will; women and mothers in particular have taken on the task of questioning the expert, which often means the (male) medical professional. Here’s what Jennifer Margulis, an Oregon mother who’s chosen not to vaccinate her three children Hesperus, 9, Athena, 7, and Etani, 4, says in the MSNBC story (I’ve inserted some comments in italics):
“I think doctors [i.e., those authority figures] tend to be taken back by how much I know,” she said, adding later: “I’m a public health official’s nightmare, not because I’m not responsible, but because I’m too responsible.” [not only is this mother more and potentially the most knowledgeable, but she is more and "too" responsible]
Margulis said she worked hard to boost her children’s own resistance to disease. She nursed two of her kids past the age of 4 and said she makes sure they eat healthful foods and get regular exercise. She believes her children’s systems are strong enough to tolerate disease — and even hopes that they’ll get the chance to gain natural immunity.
“I would love for my children to have measles,” Margulis said. “Please get me chicken pox and get me measles.”
She rejects the idea that her decision endangers others.
“People say, ‘You’re putting my kid at risk, but that doesn’t make any sense at all,’” she said. “If the vaccine works, I’m just putting my child at risk.”
Emily has already blogged about Margulis’ words. I also make sure that Charlie eats “healthful foods” and gets “regular exercise” though (confession) I stopped nursing him at 13 months. Charlie has had all his vaccinations and the chicken pox vaccine proved, in his case, to make a difference. When the chicken pox was going around at his school, Charlie got a very, very mild case. He was 4 1/2 at the time and there would have been no way to prevent him from scratching and scratching himself if he had had case of chicken pox as bad as I did when I was a child (it was bad).
Margulis’ remarks reflect what I think of as an “Our Children Ourselves” perspective, as I wrote in a post, A Personal Matter:
“Exempters” frequently refer to their need—their right—to make medical decisions for their children and themselves, based on their own research and often in opposition to the recommendations of doctors and other health professionals. That is, the reason often cited for not vaccinating a child is that an individual has the right to choose what to do; the advice and judgments of medical professionals are often regarded with suspicion. It was back in 1970 that the Boston Women’s Health Collective published a book called Our Bodies, Ourselves; the book helped to launch the women’s health movement and women—mothers—long used to trusting whatever doctors told them, started to ask questions and look for their own answers. Part of being a “good mother”—-a “good parent”—today is to show that you’ve done your research and are willing to take a stand on issues that directly touch you. And what can mean more than the health of your own child?
……
…discussions about a vaccine-autism link can quickly become as passionate and incendiary as any about abortion (and note how the notion of the “right to choose” what is best for the health of one’s own child is reminiscent of the notion of a “woman’s right to choose”).One basic tenet of Our Bodies, Ourselves is this: Who knows one’s own body better than oneself?. Extend this notion to one’s family and to one’s own children: Who but a parent knows their own children best? I suspect that these notions are one reason that discussions about vaccines and autism become as emotionally charged, as fervent, as discussions about religion and, indeed abortion. Put it another way: When the subject is vaccines and autism, the personal and the political, and the scientific are fused, combined, and often just confused.
Studies have shown and continue to show that there’s no link between vaccines and autism. But science isn’t the arbiter for those who choose not to vaccinate; the reasons for such a choice lie rather in personal beliefs and convictions. All the scientific studies in the world could be done and explained till the cows come home and (one starts to suspect), suspicion of vaccines and refusal to vaccinate will continue. If it’s due to fear of autism today, tomorrow it could be fear of something else. Parents truly want to know that they are not only doing the right thing by their children, but the best thing, and vaccination has become the bad guy in the perfect picture parents want to make their children’s lives to be. Not wanting to let “external authorities” tell them what to do about their children’s health, some seek to be as much in control (they think) about their children as they can, thumbing their nose at the “medical establishment.”
And who knows but maybe this wish to be in control of their children’s well-being is behind the self-righteous statements (Margulis: “I’m a public health official’s nightmare, not because I’m not responsible, but because I’m too responsible”); behind the defiance; behind the image of the protective mama bear who’ll slash her claws at you if you get too close to her cubs. I take on such a stance myself more than frequently when I walk out into the world with Charlie, tall and muscled, very tanned after two weeks at the beach, and disabled; I often feel it’s just my body standing between him and hostility and ignorance, and I’ve no choice but to shield him.
But I also know, from walking in the world with Charlie, that there’s really very little I can control. I’ve done a lot, given up a lot, changed a lot, made decisions I’ve surprised myself about, and still it sometimes seems things spin out in directions I neither foresaw nor at all care for. But that’s the strange power, and weakness, of parenting: You make decisions out of “your child’s best interests” and out of love, and sometimes the heart clouds things up. Parents know a lot, and also need to know when they need to listen.
1226 days ago
[...] trial of the GFCF diet was announced. While people have strong disagreements about the “right” of parents to vaccinate or not, everyone agreed that the use of “retard” in the [...]
1263 days ago
[...] by living the wrong way. Is this sentiment not floating in the thoughts of parents who demand their right to choose vaccination for their children or not? Behind the green “Too Good” line of household cleaning [...]
1278 days ago
[...] —-it gives parents the feeling that they have some right to choose. [...]
1298 days ago
[...] is plenty to discuss about why some parents feel they deserve a choice about whether or not to vaccinate their children, and why they feel so unconvinced and at odds with science. But can a show like Oprah really [...]
I respect those who prefer to have a natural approach to sickness and health.
But please do not bring your child to the doctor or hospital when he or she is sick. Just do your best to heal your children at home.
1350 days ago
[...] vaccine blog, as vaccines are so frequently a topic here. There’s what some refer to as their right to vaccinate or not. There’ve been recent outbreaks of measles and mumps, with many cases [...]
1352 days ago
[...] 21st Southern Doctor Diaries. It’s an observation that puts recent discussions about the parental right to vaccinate or not in perspective. Dr. Parker writes about the recently reported measles outbreak—131 cases as [...]
@Regan,
“it’s paradoxical that many who decline or delay vaccinations for their children are in most respects community-minded, carefully choosing their diet, purchases and elected officials based on a concern for society”——thanks for pointing this out. I guess antivaccinationists might counter that they are going one better than most (who only think of herd immunity) as they call for “safer vaccines” etc.
Maybe Ms. Margulis will have the opportunity to test her immunity theories sooner than later…
“Vaccine skeptics have plenty of company in Ashland [Oregon].
There, doubts about the necessity and safety of immunizations are as much a part of the community as its embrace of naturopathic medicine, environmental ethos and counterculture roots.
The university town, and smaller enclaves of Jackson and Josephine counties, are among pockets in Oregon where parents increasingly seek waivers from some or all of the vaccinations required for schoolchildren
(…)
Jim Shames, health officer for Jackson and Josephine counties, says it’s paradoxical that many who decline or delay vaccinations for their children are in most respects community-minded, carefully choosing their diet, purchases and elected officials based on a concern for society.
These are people, Shames says, who may, for example, “want a small carbon footprint. It seems as though they see (not vaccinating) as in keeping with the rest of their lifestyle. There’s a humanitarian aspect to immunization that they’re missing.”
But Hilary Andrews, a naturopathic physician in Oregon City, says the small number of her patients concerned that vaccines might lead to autism, autoimmune diseases or allergies tend to see avoiding immunizations as altruistic.
They say “they’re not contributing to a public health epidemic of autism,”
Oregon’s low vaccination rate causes health concerns
by Paige Parker, The Oregonian August 27, 2008
…Like I said, God didn’t create a vaccine tree to eat from…
Also didn’t create the internet, or the keyboard. I strongly suggest that you step away from yours…stat.
Oh, Mike. It’s just you against the Man, isn’t it? As long as you can try to make money by flogging your liquid do-nothing snake oil on people’s blogs, anyway. And as has been pointed out, the gov’t isn’t forcing you do to a damned thing. Get the waiver and quit whining. If there’s one cardinal feature of folks like you (I mean besides the obvious venality and self satisfaction), it’s the ability to make up conspiracies and oppression where it doesn’t exist. At least you’re using your imagination.
No TV in our house……
1354 days ago
[...] A 7-year-old San Diego boy, who had not been vaccinated, was the first case in the current measles outbreak. He contracted the measles while traveling to [...]
Since when are vaccinations unproven. If they did not do anything then the government and medical professions would not be using them. They may not be perfect but it has been proven that they do save lives. If all that we need is what god gave us, then why with the increase in medical knowledge and good health care has the life expectancy of people increased to more than double of what it was a century ago. Since using all these artificial things is so bad then I question why you use a computer as it has to be one of the most evial things around. Television is at least censored to some degree, which governments are having an incredibly hard time trying to do with the internet. Sure you can find out useful information on the net, but a lot of it is absolute crap.
I get a little riled up when people suggest unvaccinated kids are some kind of pariah that should be locked up and kept from society. As God is my witness me and the millions like me that will not allow our kids to drink the Dr Jones cool-aide will not allow the masses to bully us into vaccinations.
That being said, I respect the right of all others to vaccinate their kids if that’s what they choose to do. When one loses their freedom, they tend to get a little ticked off. How can the gov force us to take something that is dangerous, unproven to be effective, and potentially lethal? They can’t. If they do, then it’s time for plan B or plan C.
Mike, you are an idiot.
Mike,
You have posted some doozies, but with that comment you have flat out won the gold medal for offensiveness and logical fallacies.
Chuck, how are unvaccinated kids a threat to society? That is reducto ad absurdem to the nth degree! Once someone contracts a disease, if that disease is contagious and incurable, then they might be a threat, depending on how the disease is transmitted. Kids that develop contagious illnesses are usually kept home (common sense). Do you really want a nanny state that much? Watch out what you wish for, you might just get it!
Let’s not stop at diseases to quarantine. I for one think that mentally challenged people should be quarantined because their actions are unpredictable and they might cause harm to me or my children in public. I could easily make an argument that this is the case and that they should be locked up in a rubber room. Some might go further and say they should be executed or sterilized so that they can’t reproduce and that only perfect kids should be allowed to live. I foresee a future where this will be the case by the way, when the nanny state becomes a Nazi nanny state in say about 10-20 more years.
Like I said, God didn’t create a vaccine tree to eat from. We’ve brought disease upon ourselves by messing with mother nature and trying to play god. All we need for good health is to eat good, organic food, clean water, and breath clean air / exercise. How many of you parents pump your kids full of artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, and refined flours? Thought so. Then you wonder why your kids can’t digest toxins and become autistic.
1355 days ago
[...] vaccines or something in vaccines. As noted in numerous news sources last week, it seems that many parents are opting out of vaccinating their children. The result has been hardly surprising: Measles has returned, as an [...]
Lasts year’s influenza was particularly nasty given that it was only 40% effective. There was never a quarantine of those that developed influenza, vaccinated or not and there are no statistics for the number of deaths in the vaccinated population. There were an estimated 36 thousand deaths last year from that vaccine preventable death. What are the US estimates for the other vaccine preventable disease for scope and comparison?