So, being that I am a homeschooler who is also very wary of vaccinations - any talk of them in the news causes me to listen up...
This article popped into my inbox this week: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080821/ts_nm/measles_usa_dc
"Vaccine refusals fuel measles outbreak"
Okay, let's put this into perspective...
This article http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20080821/measles-outbreaks-worry-cdc "Measles Outbreaks Worry CDC: Surge in Measles Cases Blamed on Parents Who Won't Vaccinate Kids" breaks down ALL the US cases of measles this year.
(Of course, that article clearly blames homeschoolers for the two largest outbreaks this year. Argh.)
"Who's spreading the disease? It's largely children who don't get vaccinated because their parents hold "philosophical or religious beliefs" against vaccination, the CDC says...
In Washington, an unvaccinated child likely caught measles at a church conference attended by 3,000 junior high school students, some from foreign nations. That child infected seven other children in her household; they spread measles to 11 other people. Of the 19 cases, 16 were school-age children. Eleven of these kids were homeschooled; none was vaccinated because of their parents' beliefs.
In Illinois, a teenager who recently returned from Italy -- where there are ongoing measles outbreaks -- seems to have infected four unvaccinated girls ages 10 to 14. Eventually, 30 people came down with measles. All but one of the cases were children or teens aged 8 months to 17 years. Cases included 25 homeschooled children whose parents held anti-vaccination beliefs.
Well... let's not be *too* tactful now!
It says there have been the MOST cases (32) in Illinois. In perspective - Illinois has a population of approximately 13 MILLION people. 32 people became infected. That is 0.0000024% of the state of Illinois. Doesn't sound so bad when you think of it like that.
More stats:
New York - population 19 Million - 27 cases - 0.0000014% of the state
Washington state - population 6.4 Million - 19 cases - 0.0000029%
Arizona - population 6.1 Million - 14 cases - 0.0000022%
California - population 36.5 Million - 14 cases - 0.0000003%... that's about 2.5 people out of every 1 MILLION!
"Outbreak"? Hmmmmmm. I wonder how the CDC defines that term?
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4 comments:
that does make me feel a little better lol cause kk does not have any shots i will have to get them one day thou cause my hubby is gonna make me but hopefully i can hold off awhile longer still!!!
YES, as long as possible. I suppose if I *had* to vaccinate, I'd want to wait until at least age 4 or 5 and I'd spread them WAY out - like no more than 1 every 6 months.
i think they longest i can hold him out is till she is 3 which is fast approaching (feb) but i will spread them out thats forsure!!
well darn Kim B
I wish I had not seen this
cuz the way I read it- all those 'big outbreaks' (give me a freakin break!) were from foreign countries
So again here I go with the- well, we may go to a foreign country.... so I suppose I should research & will need to get some vaccines
but I know I will spread them out if I decide to get them for Lorelei & Kevin
just on the chance of going to a foreign country; I dont want to 'risk' my children, kwim?
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