How Ignorance is Fueling a Measles Comeback

FEATURING PROFESSOR MICHELLE M. MELLO – There have been 65 confirmed cases of Measles in Clark County, Washington, making it the new epicenter of a frightening resurgence in the disease. Of those 65, 47 are children under the age of 11. At least 57 of the 65 were not vaccinated against the disease.

The MMR vaccine, which protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, is 93% effective against exposure to the diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an unvaccinated person exposed to the Measles virus has a 90% chance of becoming infected.

A growing trend among some demographics in the US has been to avoid vaccines for their children because of a fear of autism. Vaccine links to autism have been widely discredited yet the erroneous information continues to drive lower rates of vaccinations. Some states like California have made vaccines mandatory except in the case of medical necessities. Other states are now looking to follow suit.

Prof. Michelle M. Mello, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and a Professor of Health Research and Policy at the Stanford University School of Medicine.