https://www.denverpost.com/2023/12/27/measles-colorado-pediatricians-concerned-vaccines-safe/

https://archive.is/Nq630

It was only a matter of time. As pediatricians, we are concerned by the first measles case in Colorado since 2019. We have anxiously watched for three years as measles vaccination rates have fallen in our state while cases have risen around the world. Colorado was spared in 2019 during our nation’s largest measles outbreak in 30 years. However, 1 in 8 Coloradan kindergarteners are not fully vaccinated against measles today, and our state is overdue for an outbreak.

Measles is extremely dangerous.

Prior to safe and effective vaccines, measles was responsible for an estimated 48,000 hospitalizations, 1,000 cases of encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and 500 deaths every year in the United States.

Measles is also highly infectious. After a contagious person leaves a room, the measles virus can float in the air and infect others for up to 2 hours.

According to reports, the teenager who contracted measles spent significant time at DIA during a busy holiday travel season and visited several counties before seeking medical care. What if those activities included grocery shopping, cheering at a Nuggets game, Holiday shopping at crammed outlet malls, or testing at school during finals week?

Time will tell if this case leads to a larger outbreak – the incubation period for measles is typically 8-12 days, and the rash often doesn’t appear until several days into the illness course.

Why do we put our children and communities at risk when a safe and effective alternative is readily available?

Measles vaccines have been around for over 60 years and 97% of children who receive two vaccine doses are considered protected for life.

Children receive measles and other essential routine vaccines before starting kindergarten. In so doing, they not only protect themselves, but they also prevent the spread of disease to children too young to get measles vaccines (infants under age 1 year), people with cancer or weakened immune systems, and those joining our state from areas of the world with disrupted access to routine preventive healthcare.

Historically, most parents have fully vaccinated their kindergarteners in a timely fashion. However, recent vaccination trends in Colorado paint a concerning picture. Today, just four states have worse measles vaccine coverage rates for kindergarteners than Colorado, which sits at 87%. To prevent outbreaks of measles, over 95% of people in our communities need to have protection.

We must do better.

First, we must improve access to childhood vaccines. Many parents want their children vaccinated but face substantial barriers to vaccination. These barriers disproportionately fall on the most vulnerable in our state. Recent data from the CDC show severe disparities in vaccine access for children in marginalized racial and ethnic groups, families experiencing poverty, those without private health insurance, and children living in rural areas.

Next, policymakers and child vaccination advocates must continue their legislative efforts. We need to bolster resources, support for, and availability of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program, which provides no-cost vaccines to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.

Accessibility of vaccination sites and provider visits must grow and be supported by adequate provider reimbursement. Established school vaccine requirements need to be tightened and enforced. Leaders in pediatric and public health need to partner with community leaders to build and maintain vaccine confidence and trust.

To parents and the public, we must do a better job communicating the benefits and value of vaccines. The evidence is clear: the benefits of vaccines greatly outweigh potential risks. Unfortunately, the proliferation of misinformation in recent years has left some parents wondering if vaccines are safe. It is okay to have questions; pediatricians welcome honest conversations with their patients and families. We want to help you make informed decisions for yourselves and your children.

The return of measles in our state should concern everyone. Now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to our fellow Coloradans and to raise our lagging vaccination rates.

David M. Higgins, MD, MPH, MS, is a Colorado-raised general academic pediatrician and preventive medicine specialist who studies vaccine delivery and vaccine hesitancy. He has two children who are fully vaccinated. Joshua T.B. Williams, MD is a general academic pediatrician who studies vaccine safety, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccination equity. He has three children who are all fully vaccinated. Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, is a general academic pediatrician and pediatric infectious disease specialist who studies vaccine delivery and vaccine hesitancy. He has two children who are fully vaccinated.

is anyone else tired of hearing about how "concerned" these quacks are?

hey don't seem to be too concerned about the epidemic of autism they caused.

"Measles is extremely dangerous"

no, actually its not. its just another a mild childhood infection that they came up with a vaccine for.