Thanks, Anti-Vaxxers. You Just Brought Back Measles in NYC.

[zappaman]

59. Los Angeles

Three of the measles patients this year had recently been in the Philippines, where a large outbreak is ongoing; two more had recently traveled to India. Two others had recent contact with travelers.

While two of the measles sufferers had been vaccinated — the immunization confers protection 99% of the time — most had not, officials said. Seven had skipped childhood immunizations because their parents opted them out through California's personal belief exemption law. Two doses of measles vaccine are required for students entering kindergarten in California.

Fewer than 3% of California schoolchildren use the exemption, said Dr. Kathleen Harriman, of the public health department's immunization branch.

Chavez said he was particularly concerned about the patients who had intentionally avoided vaccines.

"A myth persists among many parents that the measles vaccine is dangerous," he said. "These illnesses continue to make a comeback because we have people who refuse to be vaccinated."


http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-measles-20140222,0,1197753.story#ixzz2vsidGvFK