To Vaccinate or Not in 2015 – The FaVe Tween Riding the Tea Cups at Disneyland at around the age of 5.
To vaccinate or not in 2015 seems to be the ultimate controversial and confrontational question with the current outbreak of measles. Mentioning vaccination is sure to cause a ruckus regardless of which side of the fence you sit on. I’m venturing to say it’s worse than asking about politics or religion. Doctors have been encouraging everyone to get their MMR vaccine, It is generally required in order to attend public schools. While some feel that unvaccinated individuals are to blame in the mid-December outbreak of measles at Disneyland, others disagree. The outbreak has infected more than 70 people on the west coast, including five Disneyland employees. 
The measles are a highly communicable virus and respiratory disease. Originally it was believed that the measles had been eradicated in the United States in 2000. However, to eradicate means to completely eliminate and obviously that wasn’t the case when 644 cases of the measles were reported in 2014 in the United States. It is believed that a foreigner however brought the virus to Disneyland or California Adventure sometime between December 15th and December 20th. The measles is not uncommon in other parts of the world. Why the five day window? It can take 8 to 10 days before you know you have it. Keep on reading.
However, take a look at the confirmed measles cases in California to see if you believe vaccinations work and if you should vaccinate in 2015. Of the 59 California measles victims, Of those 34 people with vaccination records, 28 of them were not vaccinated and were infected with the measles. Only 6 people who were vaccinated were infected with the measles. 6 of the 28 unvaccinated individuals were too young for the MMR vaccine. That means 82% of the people that contracted the measles were not vaccinated. To vaccinate or not in 2015 is a parent’s choice ultimately, but just doing the simple math of the 34 people with vaccination records, I feel strongly about children being vaccinated. Straight from the California Department of Public Health, “The California measles patients reside in 11 local health jurisdictions (Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Ventura Counties and the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena). Patients range in age from seven months to 70 years. Vaccination status is documented for 34 of the 59 cases. Of these 34, 28 were unvaccinated, one had received one dose and five had received two or more doses of MMR vaccine. “
It is simple to come to the conclusion that I’m less likely to contract the measles if I’ve been vaccinated based on the below infographic I created for you.
In 2004, my son had a severe egg allergy and we were advised not to give him the MMR vaccine. Once my son overcame his egg allergy he was vaccinated. I still took him to parks and everywhere that you would normally take a child, because I thought that everyone vaccinated their children. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized lots of people are against vaccinations for a variety of reasons from religion to fears of developmental disabilities.
What should be interesting to you is that the anti-vaccine movement is huge in Orange County, and some of the schools report that 60-80 percent of their students have missed at least some of their vaccinations.
I wanted to included some basic questions and answers after talking with my pediatrician below. I’m not listing my pediatrician’s name as he has a right to his privacy, and this debate is highly controversial and all comments on this post will be read and address by me, not my pediatrician. This is not medical advice and you should speak with your doctors if you have questions.
How does one become infected with the measles?
Measles is an incredibly contagious infectious disease that passes through droplets in the air, from sneezing or coughing generally, and can linger for up to two hours. Confined places like elevators can be points of transmission. The measles was so common before the vaccine in 1963 that if you were born before then people are believed to be immune.
What are the symptoms?
Eight to ten days after exposure, (you may not even know you have it at first), you will get a fever, runny nose, and possibly body aches. Red eyes are extremely common too. Most people have a rash that starts on the face and moves downward and outward with blotchy red spots that blend together. And the contagious period is from four days before you get the rash, until four days after.
What happens next?
Most people no longer have symptoms in a week or two. Some people can develop pneumonia or neurological conditions that can be life threatening and last a long time. Children under one year of age, pregnant women, people with a compromised immune system, and unvaccinated people are at the highest risks.
Can Disney do anything to stop the outbreak?
No. Virus particles are airborne. Anywhere large numbers of people congregate, you’re vulnerable to a measles infection.
If we vaccinate our children are they safe from the measles?
If you’re older than 51 and were exposed to the measles, you’ve developed an immunity more than likely. In 1963 only one dose of the vaccine was recommended so you’re about 93% safe. Since then, two does are recommended, one at 12-15 months and another between the ages of 4-6 but no later than six.
People in their 30s and 40s (my age group), have less protection than younger and older people. People vaccinated outside of the United States where the vaccine was not kept cold might not have received an ineffective dose. My doctor recommends the vaccination before traveling overseas to any country where the disease is present. Most American outbreaks have came from others visiting the US where the disease is more common, including Europe and the Philippines. (wear half my family resides)
My son was vaccinated when he was older and I’m happy to report he has no developmental disabilities.
Does the MMR vaccine cause developmental disabilities?
Researchers have shown OVER and OVER again that there is NO connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and any developmental disabilities, but yet the public is skeptical since a small, non discredited study ran in the journal the Lancet in the 1990s claimed otherwise. How can we reassure parents with anything other than the facts. The data is as crystal clear as Disneyland’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, in therms of benefits verses risks of these vaccinations. By choosing not to vaccinate your children you are taking a risk both for your own child/ren and the larger community as a whole. It’s simple, the more vaccinated individuals, lessens the likelihood that the disease will be given to someone who is too young to be vaccinated or is otherwise vulnerable to the disease such as people with cancer and pregnant women.
Besides the recommended vaccinations, what can we do to protect ourselves?
Cover your mouth with your sleeve when you cough and not your hand. Wash your hands often. Use Purrell hand sanitizer. If you choose not to vaccinate avoid public places with international travelers like airports and theme parks.
Will you be visiting Disneyland or California Adventure anytime soon?
Absolutely. My children are vaccinated, know proper hygiene rules, and I’m not afraid of them contracting the measles. I’ll see you at Disneyland in a few weeks.
I’m not trying to tell anyone that reads my blog what they should or shouldn’t do, but if you have a child that is not vaccinated, whether by choice or because they are too young to receive the vaccine, you should probably avoid places with known outbreaks. Disneyland will NOT give your child the measles, infected people visiting Disneyland can give your child the measles. You should avoid any area with lots of internationals as most people in other countries are not vaccinated for measles.
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