Most cases have the following symptoms: fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, and a rash.
In the worst-case scenario, a patient could develop encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. This is, factually, devastating for anyone. It can have life long effects including brain damage, deafness, and/or other neurological impairment. Chances of this are approximately 1 out of 1,000.
The cause of death is about 1 in 1000 also and usually occurs from pneumonia. Only about 5% of the cases develop pneumonia though.
In Africa there were lots of death compared to developed countries. The cause was either malnutrition (low Vitamin A in particular) or lack of access to the vaccine. Interestingly by the time the vaccine was invented the number of cases of measles had decreased significantly.
According to the CDC here are your chances of complications:
Measles Complications Conditions
- Diarrhea - 8% reported
- Otitis media - 7% reported
- Pneumonia - 6% reported
- Encephalitis - 0.1% reported
- Seizures - 0.6-0.7% reported
- Death - 0.2% reported
The CDC says malnourished children under 12 months of age and a vitamin A deficiency are most at risk:
"Measles in developing countries has resulted in high attack rates among children younger than 12 months of age. Measles is more severe in malnourished children, particularly those with vitamin A deficiency. Complications include diarrhea, dehydration, stomatitis, inability to feed, and bacterial infections (skin and elsewhere). The case-fatality rate may be as high as 25%. Measles is also a leading cause of blindness in African children."
It is interesting to see how cases of measles affects the different age groups.
Notice that about 9% develop Pneumonia, but 25% are hospitalized for one reason or another.
I wonder, how effective is the vaccine if you only have the first dose of the vaccine. It is recommended the vaccine is to be given at 1yr and 5 yrs of age. If you have a 2 year old this is something to consider, especially if you have not vaccinated yet. Here is what the CDC says:
"From 1985 through 1988, 42% of cases occurred in persons who were vaccinated on or after their first birthday. During these years, 68% of cases in school-aged children (5–19 years) occurred among those who had been appropriately vaccinated. The occurrence of measles among previously vaccinated children (i.e., vaccine failure) led to the recommend at ion for a second dose in this age group."
and
"The size and makeup of measles outbreaks has changed since the 1980s. Prior to 1989, the majority of outbreaks occurred among middle, high school and college student populations. As many as 95% of persons infected during these outbreaks had received one prior dose of measles vaccine. A second dose of measles vaccine was recommended for school-aged children in 1989, and all states now require two doses of measles vaccine for school-aged children. As a result, measles outbreaks in school settings are now uncommon."
This makes me think about giving a vaccination to my unvaccinated 2 year old. It seems the vaccines will not be that effective with just the one dose. Also, I wonder how immediate would she gain any benefit.
Then I read the following from the CDC:
"
Measles vaccine produces an inapparent or mild, noncommunicable infection. Measles antibodies develop in approximately 95% of children vaccinated at 12 months of age and 98% of children vaccinated at 15 months of age. Seroconversion rates are similar for single-antigen measles vaccine, MMR, and MMRV. Approximately 2%–5% of children who receive only one dose of MMR vaccine fail to respond to it (i.e., primary vaccine failure). MMR vaccine failure may occur because of passive antibody in the vaccine recipient, damaged vaccine, incorrect records, or possibly other reasons. Most persons who fail to respond to the first dose will respond to a second dose. Studies indicate that more than 99% of persons who receive two doses of measles vaccine (with the first dose administered no earlier than the first birthday) develop serologic evidence of measles immunity.
...
Two doses of measles vaccine, as combination MMR, separated by at least 4 weeks, are routinely recommended for all children. All persons born during or after 1957 should have documentation of at least one dose of MMR or other evidence of measles immunity (see below). Certain adolescents and adults should receive two doses of MMR.
...
A second dose of MMR is recommended to produce immunity in those who failed to respond to the first dose. The second dose of MMR vaccine should routinely be given at age 4–6 years, before a child enters kindergarten or first grade. The recommended visit at age 11 or 12 years can serve as a catch-up opportunity to verify vaccination status and administer MMR vaccine to those children who have not yet received two doses of MMR.
"
I read this to mean that for my 2 year old she has 98% chance of getting immunity from measles after just the first vaccination. However, if she gets a second vaccination after 4 weeks then should gain 1 more percent for the chances of being developing the measles antibodies. In my opinion, if you don't want to vaccinate in the first place, the risk of side effects of the second vaccination may be greater than the benefit of getting that 1% closer to 100% chance of immunity. It seems getting only the first vaccination is a good balance if you child is over the 15 month mark.
I wonder how many health kids that get exercise, get proper sun exposure (Vitamin D), proper nutrition get this measles and how serious the cases are versus kids that don't fit this criteria.
The CDC does say: "Overall incidence rates were highest for Hispanics and blacks and lowest for non-Hispanic whites. Among children younger than 5 years of age, the incidence of measles among blacks and Hispanics was four to seven times higher than among non-Hispanic whites."
I would be willing to bet the above group does not meet this criteria in most cases.
The CDC also says: "Ninety percent of fatal cases occurred among persons with no history of vaccination."
This is of little surprise given that a large percentage of cases are from unvaccinated people.
What is in the Vaccine?
The CDC says: "The only measles virus vaccine now available in the United States is a live, more attenuated Edmonston-Enders strain (formerly called “Moraten”). The vaccine is available combined with mumps and rubella vaccines as MMR, or combined with mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine as MMRV (ProQuad). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that MMR be used when any of the individual components is indicated. Single-antigen measles vaccine is not currently available in the United States.
Measles vaccine is prepared in chick embryo fibroblast tissue culture. MMR and MMRV are supplied as a lyophylized (freeze-dried) powder and are reconstituted with sterile, preservative-free water. The vaccines contain a small amount of human albumin, neomycin, sorbitol, and gelatin."
What is an attenuated virus
Wikipedia says: "An attenuated vaccine is a vaccine created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen, but still keeping it viable (or "live"). Attenuation takes an infectious agent and alters it so that it becomes harmless or less virulent."What is chick embryo fibroblast
Wikipedia says: "A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen,[1] the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing. Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue in animals."
I say, if you are concerned about GMOs, you may not want to get the MMR vaccine. It has genetically engineered albumin (human protein) in it.
What is Neomycin (preservative)
Wikipedia says: "Neomycin is typically used as a topical preparation, such as Neosporin. It can also be given orally, where it is usually combined with other antibiotics. Neomycin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and has been used as a preventive measure for hepatic encephalopathy and hypercholesterolemia. By killing bacteria in the intestinal tract, it keeps ammonia levels low and prevents hepatic encephalopathy, especially prior to GI surgery. It has also been used to treat small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It is not given intravenously, as neomycin is extremely nephrotoxic (causes kidney damage), especially compared to other aminoglycosides. The exception is when neomycin is included, in very small quantities, as a preservative in some vaccines – typically 0.025 mg per dose.[1]"
Does this mean that the measles vaccine can damage the kidney of small babies or children that are say in the 1 percentile?
What is Sorbitol (Sugar)
WiseGeek says: "Sorbitol, or glucitol as it is sometimes called, is a slow-metabolizing sugar alcohol derived from fruits, corn and seaweed. It's a sugar substitute found in foods such as frozen desserts, sugar-free chewing gum and diabetic candies. Sorbitol is only about 60% as sweet as sugar, however. It is also used as a thickener and moisturizer in beauty products."
Wikipedia says: "Gelatin or gelatine (from Latin: gelatus meaning "stiff", "frozen") is a translucent, colourless, brittle (when dry), flavourless foodstuff, derived from collagen obtained from various animal by-products. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing. Substances containing gelatin or functioning in a similar way are called gelatinous. Gelatin is an irreversibly hydrolyzed form of collagen. It is found in most gummy candy as well as other products such as marshmallows, gelatin dessert, and some ice cream, dip and yogurt. Household gelatin comes in the form of sheets, granules, or powder. Instant types can be added to the food as they are; others need to be soaked in water beforehand."
To Summarize
It is a difficult choice to make. There are world health and individual health to consider. No one wants to spread disease and we all want to be healthy. There is definitely uncertainty as to the best to meet that goal. I see it as weighing the risks and benefits because nothing is 100% or without cost. Here are the major risks and benefits.
What we are trying to avoid: Measles
Most cases have the following symptoms: fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, and a rash.
In the worst-case scenario, a patient could develop encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.
Choice #1 - Don't vaccinate
Choice #2 - Vaccinate
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