The year has just started, yet more than 120 people in 17 states have been already infected by the measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In 2014, there were 644 cases of measles reported, the highest in the U.S. since 2000.
On Tuesday, Outgoing U.S. FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg has reiterated how important getting a measles vaccine is. Hamburg wrote a blog post on FDA's official website entitled, "Measles Vaccine Is Safe and Effective - And Should Be Used."
"Vaccination works with the body's natural defenses to help it safely develop immunity to the measles. When more people are vaccinated, there are fewer opportunities for the disease to spread," Hamburg wrote.
She also mentioned on the same blog post that there are two effective and safe vaccines that are approved by the FDA. According to the FDA, over 95 percent of those who received a single dose of the measles vaccine have developed immunity to the disease. A second dose is typically given to those who have not responded to the initial dose. Hamburg also said that side effects from these vaccines are rare.
According to recent reports, more and more doctors are turning away patients who refuse to have their children vaccinated. One of them is pediatrician Dr. Charles Goodman, who has been in practice for over 20 years.
"We decided that the patients who are not vaccinated are presenting a clear and present danger. It just wasn't fair for a small number of patients to put those many patients, who either couldn't be vaccinated because they're too young or had a weakened immune system, at risk," Dr. Goodman said.
After Goodman implemented the requirement, he was able to immunize around 50 to 100 patients who wouldn't have gotten the immunization if they had a choice.
The CDC also monitors the safety of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (MMRV) vaccines. There are currently three systems for monitoring:
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System or VAERS, which is an early warning system that monitors problems right after immunization.
Vaccine Safety Datalink or VSD - this monitoring system is a collaboration between some health care organizations and CDC. It allows proactive searches of vaccine related information.
Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project - CDC has joined hands with various medical facilities that perform clinical research on health risks that are related to vaccination on particular groups of people.
Patients who have experienced any problems right after immunization can get in touch with VAERS. The FDA and CDC ensure that necessary and immediate action will be performed to ensure the safety of the public.
