The illness can cause death, permanent hearing problems and sight damage.
Measles, measles, measles. It’s highly contagious and in some locations, spreading. In fact, it’s one of the most contagious respiratory diseases in the world. Seeing as it can be life-threatening, it deserves some respect.
It’s also a fact that most people who receive both their measles vaccines never experience any long lasting side effects, and also never fall ill with the disease. This is true even when they’re directly exposed to the virus.
Why do people continue to refuse help in the form of vaccines? Largely due to not having proper access to them, and misinformation.
Here are some facts to consider.
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As the FDA points out, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), before the U.S. measles vaccination program started in 1963, about 3 million to 4 million people nationwide fell ill with the measles every year.
Of this number, 400 to 500 people died as a direct result of the illness. An additional 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 developed encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain. This can lead to permanent paralysis, memory problems, hearing and vision loss and speech impairments.
Since the introduction of widespread measles vaccines, the measles was reduced by 99% in the U.S, but we’re now going backwards.
According to the World Health Organization, a group filled with some of the top medical minds in the world, getting a vaccine is your best protection against measles.
Not sure about your decision? Read beloved children’s author, Roald Dahl’s description of his daughter dying of measles. He would have loved her to have the chance to be vaccinated. Don’t wait.
