The need to give measles vaccinations is under scrutiny despite the fact that the disease appears to be progressively appearing as a widespread concern. Since 2000, measles was not high on the list of needed vaccines. However, the signs of this disease needing a continued reminder to educate the public about vaccinations was evident as over 600 cases were reported in 2014.
Those 600 cases caused some alarm because it was considerably higher than what has been documented in the last 20 years. The location with the highest number of cases, 383, last year, was in Ohio. However, this information did not receive much attention. As the public has been warned of this emerging presence, 14 states have identified 102 cases of the disease that included both children and adults.
There are challenging factors to consider as the medical profession, again, is tasked to eradicate the measles virus. Over the last 14 years, the dialogue to address measles vaccinations was out of the public eye and it was believed that it was a disease to no longer fear. As a result, there are some medical professionals who might need to be trained to become better prepared to diagnose the condition.
It was reported by the California Department of Public Health that measles originated at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. This is a great breeding ground for such a contagious disease where exposure is limitless. This tourist spot has attracted people from all over the world as well as the United States. Another place of notable mention for the spreading of the measles virus is day care centers.
One eminent challenge is that some people live in areas that do not have vaccination requirements. This airbornedisease may not only have been brought to the United States by tourists but, also as travelers return home. Western Europe, Pakistan, and Vietnam were targeted among the highest of measles cases. The country reporting the highest number of cases was the Philippines where over 50,000 people were affected.
Scrutinizing the need for measles vaccinations adds to the list of challenges as the United States has varied in establishing a consistent law among states, which could result in placing a risk to the public for prevention. Lwmakers can play a critical role in advocating the regulation for measles vaccinations.
As parents make a decision about measles vaccinations, their concern has been voiced as several have chosen to forgo the vaccine for their children. Their quest to scrutinize the measles vaccination grew out of fear from misguided information.
It was reported in a study that there was a relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. Although this 1998 study was removed from the literature, it left skepticism in the minds of many parents. Additionally, parents have had concerns about the proper handling of the vaccine to ensure potency. Dealing with the needed education within the medical field, the consistency of laws that can regulate vaccinations, and the fears of parents will be major crossroads to address the scrutiny associated with measles vaccinations.
By Marie A. Wakefield