PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Certain childhood infections once thought eradicated in the United States are making a comeback.
Back in 2000, measles was declared "eliminated" in the United States, buta growing number of people are refusing to have their children vaccinated
A measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, recently ended. The good news is no children died, but 85 children developed infections; 80 of the patients were under 5 years old, and 36 were hospitalized.
Particularly disturbing is the news that the children were not fully vaccinated. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is part of the standard immunization schedule for all kids. It is administered within the first 12 to 15 months of life and again between ages 4 and 6.
The first dose provides 93% protection, and the second dose brings it up to 97%.
The children in Columbus affected by the outbreak were either not fully vaccinated or not vaccinated at all.
Education surrounding vaccines needs to be a preventive health priority.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
