Vaccinations have been proven to save lives. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine has saved an estimated 17.1 million lives since 2000, yet the northwestern U.S. is currently facing its worst outbreak in years.
The areas in Oregon and Washington affected are hotspots of anti-vaccination sentiment: approximately one in four kindergarten-age children have not received all of their childhood vaccines. The anti-vax movement was incited by a falsified study stating that these lifesaving vaccines were linked to autism; despite the fact that the doctor's medical license was revoked after he was caught faking data, many people continue to believe that inoculations are risky -- and this measles outbreak has shown just what the risks of that mentality bring.
Currently, over 50 cases have been reported in the two states (with another dozen or so suspected), prompting government officials to declare a state of emergency. Officials in Multnomah County, Oregon, were forced to issue notifications to parents of unvaccinated children -- they are not allowed to attend school if they're not up to date on their childhood immunizations by February 20.
The risks associated with measles are such that these anti-vax areas are seeing a change: hospitals carrying medical grade refrigerators and scientific freezers in the area are now dealing with a massive spike in the number of vaccination requests by parents who had previously decided against them. As of now, officials are reporting a staggering 500% increase in the number of vaccines being administered compared to the same time last year.
The measles vaccine is 97% effective against the dangerous illness, and has proven to be safe time and time again. While it is true that herd immunity can protect whole populations of people, approximately 90% to 95% of that population must be vaccinated. Fortunately, we live in a country that has easy access to all the vaccines we may need; medical refrigerators and lab freezers are available in most doctor's offices and pharmacies, ready to administer the vital vaccines.
Don't let fear over falsified data keep you and your children vulnerable to completely preventable diseases; benefit from this nation's vast array of medical grade refrigerators and pharmaceutical freezers and get vaccinated today.