The Louisiana Department of Health is emphasizing the importance of immunizations in the wake of the nationwide measles outbreak.
Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says while there have not been any reported cases in the state so far, over 760 cases have been reported in other states.
“It touches twenty-three states. This is now the largest outbreak in 25 years. It is the largest outbreak since we declared the disease eliminated in 2001,” said Kanter.
Kanter says measles vaccine misinformation and myths are putting people at risk, adding myths such as vaccines being a cause for autism and containing mercury are not true.
“Families need to know that vaccines are safe. Vaccines are highly effective and they are undoubtedly in the best interest of children and they keep our communities safe,” said Kanter.
Kanter says of those national measles cases, over 72% were unvaccinated. The vaccine is not perfect in guaranteeing someone stays well.
“Always in these outbreaks you see a handful of people who did everything right, who go tthe vaccine, still come down with the disease, because we know that its not 100 percent. That’s why everyone in the community really needs to get vaccinated,” said Kanter.