A resurgence of measles across the United States, including a recent outbreak at “The Happiest Place on Earth,” prompted a new round of debate on vaccinations and the consequences of not vaccinating children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 102 measles cases in January this year that originated in California. On Jan. 23, the CDC issued a health advisory to notify public health departments and healthcare facilities about the 14-state measles outbreak. This new outbreak has more cases in one month than the CDC typically handles all year.
“Measles were eradicated,” Becky O’Neal, assistant professor of Biology and Nursing, said. “There were no new outbreaks… We didn’t have any native cases [in the U.S.] in 2000. It is kind of sad that we are starting to see measles, and measles is just one of many diseases we are seeing a resurgence of.”
O’Neal said anytime people are living in close proximity some communicable diseases will spread, but this outbreak could have been avoided.
“I think a lot of information that has come out has said some of the people that are getting sick were not vaccinated and are potentially spreading it more than it would have,” O’Neal said. “If more people had been vaccinated, it would have stayed in Disneyland and just had one generation of spread. Instead people who were not vaccinated were able to spread it before they knew they had it.”
The solution to not spreading these diseases is vaccinations, according to O’Neal.
“It is a really good way to prevent some illnesses that have been very deadly or damaging in the past,” O’Neal said. “It’s always a good idea to immunize children against common, easily-spread illnesses.”
Oklahoma does have laws requiring children to be vaccinated, but there are exemptions for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.
Junior Marina Pendleton said she has not been vaccinated due to her religious convictions.
“I have never been vaccinated,” Pendleton said. “I prefer to rely on spiritual means and healing through prayer to maintain health. I believe that the example set by Jesus, the disciples and the early church for healing through spiritual means alone proves that the power of God to heal and establish health was not demonstrated through Jesus alone but is still active today and available to all.”
This new round of discussion surrounding vaccinations has brought up questions of how to enforce vaccinations and whether it’s ethical to enforce them. Some school systems require children to be vaccinated for enrollment into school, however, this solution is not always enforced and is still debated.
“I understand that everyone in that situation wants that kid to have a normal life and go to school,” Pendleton said. “I think banning children without vaccinations is not the right step to take because it can infringe on things like the first amendment.”
Pendleton said that whatever method of preventive health should be a full-fledged effort.
“I think the parents should be very careful and monitor the children’s health by whatever means they choose,” Pendleton said. “If they choose to vaccinate, then they should fulfill that to the fullest extent that they can.”
According to KFOR, it is only a matter of time before the vaccination issue could fall to the courts because of the widespread debate surrounding the issue.
“Parents across the nation are reexamining the evidence for and against vaccinations,” Pendleton said. “Centuries of medical research have gone into developing modern vaccines, and for the most part, success has been demonstrated in preventing spread of certain diseases. I hope that those families who are unsure about the best approach to maintaining the health and safety of their own children and others’ will take on the responsibility of researching the available methods.”
Health care providers have information about vaccinations readily available.
“If [parents] have concerns about the vaccination, they should talk to their health care provider,” O’Neal said. “There are a lot of information available, as well as resources. There really is not an excuse. Vaccines are provided free of charge, so it is not an economic issue.”
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