Measles outbreaks have been reported in several states in January. Dozens of children have been sickened in Washington State; most were not vaccinated. Over a dozen children were sickened with Measles this year in Toms River, NJ. At least 10 states reported at least one case of Measles in January 2019 alone.
Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County (Washington)’s public health director, is very concerned. “We’ve already had a child hospitalized; I hope it doesn’t take a death or a real serious complication like encephalitis for people to change their minds” about vaccination, he said.
Vaccines are safe and effective. Families who refuse vaccinations put other children at risk. To read more of my thoughts, click here.
-- Dr. Epstein