The measles vaccine is crucial to the protection of all people, regardless of age, race, or nationality. Particularly in the United States, with a history of epidemics ranging from polio to the more recent H1N1 scare, hesitation regarding a measles vaccination should not even be a consideration. In fact, our country credit the vaccine for being rid of the virus for so long! According to Dan Whitcomb and Michael Fleeman at Reuters, Measles was declared “eliminated in the United States in 2000 after decades of intensive childhood vaccine efforts. But last year the nation had its highest number of measles cases in two decades.” This only shows the effectiveness of the vaccine, and that this current outbreak is not just an aberration to be overlooked. Parents have a responsibility to their children in ensuring this vaccine.

There are even companies and organizations taking this threat just as seriously as is meant to be. KinderCare, a child care organization located in Lake County, has already instituted policies requiring all employees assisting children 15 months or younger to be vaccinated. This is especially commendable because KinderCare is located in Chicago! Despite not being remotely near ground zero in California, this organization has taken heed to precaution and made sure to stop a fight with measles before it can even begin. That is the essence of vaccinations, in today’s children especially- to preempt any possible threat to health and wellbeing.

Parents who still believe themselves to be anti-vaccine need to take heed of the cautions offered by Dr. Sanjay Gupta in his open letter to CNN just last Thursday. He points out that science “often loses the zeal argument to ideology,” and most certainly in the case of vaccinations because there is so rarely an accident regarding them that whenever there is, it is blown out of proportion by fear. It is imperative that one regard facts, not hyperbole, when understanding how valuable vaccinations are in any case. As interpreted by Kelly Wallace of CNN, professor Tara Smith has confirmed that “the diseases are much worse than any potential side effect from the vaccines, so for me it’s a risk-benefit.” Vaccines are administered in order to prevent the worst possible outcome, and the measles outbreak is no different.

Barring an extenuating circumstance such as serious allergy, there is no logical reason for declining the measles vaccine. The United States’ population alone is approaching 320 million people, so the vaccine must be looked at in regard all the people we come in contact with each and everyday on our commutes, in our classrooms, and our workspaces. Its time to vaccinate our children.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/05/us-usa-measles-california-idUSKBN0L82NR20150205

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-measles-chicago-reax-0207-20150206-story.html

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/04/living/feat-measles-parents-vaccinate-children/

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/03/health/measles-gupta-fact/